Andrew Hogge, consultant at London commercial property firm Cyril Leonard, is encouraging property advisers to help fund people who have challenges as a result of physical and or mental disabilities.
Hogge is a trustee and chairman of the Challenge is an Opportunity Foundation, or CiaO, which asks companies who have worked as joint advisers or advised on either side of a transaction, to donate a small percentage of their fees to charity.
The foundation, which supports those facing "insurmountable challenges", was set up by Geoffrey Barber, of property management firm Amalgamated Berkshire Holdings, after he suffered severe injuries in a car crash. Hogge says he wanted to help those with disabilities taking on sporting or other challenges after the incient.
"Whilst Geoffrey received amazing hospital care through the NHS, it was the post-hospital treatment which he found lacking and, as a consequence of that, he decided to set up the CiaO Foundation to help people taking on challenges resulting from physical and or mental disabilities,” Hogge tells CoStar News.
He explains that the aim of the charity is to "inspire, motivate and support" people trying to overcome adversity as a result of their disability. It encourages individuals to apply for grants to fund the costs of their training, coaching and equipment associated with their sport or task.
CiaO has already helped a number of people and groups with their endeavours, including providing funding for play equipment and a sensory room at a special needs school in Surbiton, Greater London.
Blind tennis star
One of its most recent projects involves raising funds for Naqi Rizvi, the number one blind tennis player in the UK and former number one blind tennis player in the world.
Cyril Leonard and Park Place Retail, another company involved in the charity, have both made donations to cover circa 75% of Rizvi's equipment, coaching and tournament costs from April 2025 to 2026.
Global real estate giants CBRE and DI Properties have also made donations to the CiaO Foundation in the past, with Hogge encouraging other property firms to do the same. He stresses that the foundation ensures 100% of the funds donated make their way to the beneficiaries, like Rizvi and Steve Slade, a wheelchair rugby player.
Hogge adds that one of the most rewarding things about donating to the charity is seeing the difference the funds make on the individuals taking on challenges. "We follow-up after we have made a grant to beneficiaries to see how they are progressing with their challenges and we share this with the donors.
"Through CiaO a personal connection is made and we believe that is very rewarding for people in the firm, not just the directors, but everybody to see who they are helping and how the beneficiaries progress.
"We believe every person has the right to feel valued, have a sense of purpose and be empowered to achieve regardless of their circumstances."
To learn more about the CiaO Foundation or make a donation, you can click on the link at the bottom of this page.