We are fast approaching the season of jollity, but much more importantly, charity.

Of course we are aware that our fantastic readers work all the year round for the causes they believe in.

However, right now we are struck by how many of you are getting physically involved in good causes – and how very basic some of these causes are: we’re talking food, clothing and shelter (small s).

In affluent Britain it comes as a shock to learn that more people than ever are now using food banks, while soup kitchens are providing a lifeline in towns widely regarded as wealthy.

In Bournemouth, for example, where Sandbanks boasts some of the UK’s highest house prices, there is a charity called Hope For Food

Gail Prince, sales manager at Martin & Co Poole, volunteers at one of its soup kitchens each Sunday evening.

That is quite a commitment – supported by her employer, who make regular monthly contributions based on the number of market appraisals and instructions it gets.

Agent JLL does some terrific fund-raising for the homeless charity Crisis – but its staff are also among the hard-working volunteers.

The most recent fund-raiser was a quiz night hosted by the Greenwich office, attended by 85 local estate agents, conveyancing firms and others. It raised £2,500.

Meanwhile, Agents Giving is once again running its winter coat drive, which encourages agents to collect unwanted winter coats for local homeless charities and Shelter.

Those which accept winter coats include: Calling London, Launchpad Reading, Wrap Up London, Trussell Trust Foodbanks and YMCA.

Agents Giving is also continuing to support the Trussell Trust, a foodbank network.

Last year, a number of agents supported their local foodbanks and – while not the main object – achieved valuable coverage in their local newspapers.

EYE cannot possibly hope to cover all that our readers are doing, but please do update us – and we will try!