125 year anniversary marked - where it all began
LionHeart has marked its 125th anniversary year with a evening reception at RICS headquarters in Great George Street, London - the place where, in 1899, a group of chartered surveyors came up with the idea of creating an independent charity to “look after their own”.
Volunteers, long-term supporters, and representatives from partner firms and organisations joined the event to mark a century and a quarter of support for the surveying community.
Welcoming guests, LionHeart chair Philippa Sampson Bancroft FRICS (above) said: “It seems a particularly fitting place for us to mark 125 years as an independent charity because - in true once upon a time fashion - it was here that our story began, back in 1899, when the outgoing president of the RICS, Robert Vigers, announced he would donate £500 to start a benevolent fund and the idea of LionHeart was born.
“That notion of ‘looking after your own’ has been fundamental to LionHeart ever since, as it is the generosity of subsequent generations of chartered surveyors that has supported us to do what we do.
“Over the years we have evolved from a purely grant-giving charity to one that offers a whole range of support to surveyors and their families all over the world. Support that has helped people keep going through the most difficult of times - support that has, in the words of some of the people we have helped, been life changing or indeed even life saving.”
We were also delighted to welcome our founder’s great great grandson, retired property professional and auctioneer Shaun Vigers, who generously donated some rare, privately bottled Springbank single malt whisky to raise funds for the charity that generations of his family have been lifelong supporters off.
Bringing his gavel out of retirement, two of the ‘Lion’s Heart’ whisky bottles set in special commemorative wooden boxes fetched over £600 each on the night.
Speaking to assembled guests about the Vigers family’s long links with RICS and LionHeart - including three successive generations to serve as RICS presidents - Shaun concluded: “Thank you for being here and for your continuing support of my great great grandfather’s vision.”
Guests also heard from our former associate board member, So Sum Lee MRICS, who gave a powerful and moving account of how LionHeart supported her through a personally stressful time as she juggled studying for her APC and working through the Covid lockdown.
Describing how demand for LionHeart’s services continue to go up - more than doubling in the last five years - CEO Phil Sparke also explained how donations have been falling, in part due to changes to the RICS subs renewal process which has led to fewer individuals having the chance to make a suggested annual donation.
He said: “We are only here tonight because of the support of generations of surveyors. We stand here as custodians of this charity that was created for surveyors to look after their own. So, as we reflect on our past we must also look to the future and the part that you, as individuals, firms and organisations can play to ensure LionHeart can continue to support the profession for many years to come.”
Can you help?
As we mark our 125th birthday, we are asking for you to play your part in ensuring LionHeart is here for another 125 years, supporting the surveying profession for generations to come.
- Please say ‘yes!’ to donate when you renew your RICS subs
- Make a donation online today
- If you would like to make a corporate donation, please get in touch with our fundraising team
