Oakley Property: A Year of Challenge, Community & Charity
We fully acknowledge that without the support of the local communities within which we work, we wouldn’t have a business.
Across Sussex, you’ll find Oakley Property teams running up hills, paddling across lagoons, hiking through storms, swinging (sometimes badly) on golf courses, or taking on challenges most people wouldn’t attempt in a lifetime.
Charity Sits at the Heart of Who We Are
It’s woven into our culture, our values, and our everyday work. When someone in our community needs support, we show up on foot, on boards, in boots, and occasionally up a mountain.
In 2025 alone, Oakley colleagues have raised funds for over 10 charities, supporting causes across youth, homelessness, cancer support, mental health, disability inclusion, and international education.
This is our round-up of a year defined not just by what we achieved, but why we did it.
Why Charity Matters So Deeply to Oakley
At Oakley, giving back isn’t an afterthought, it’s a responsibility.
We live here. We work here. We raise our families here. Sussex is home, and we believe in playing an active role in helping it thrive. We push ourselves through challenges because we know the people we’re raising money for face far tougher ones every day.
From young people in crisis, local hospices to international communities rebuilding their futures. These causes matter to us because the people behind them matter to Sussex.
2025 Charity Highlights
Below are the challenges our colleagues took on this year, each one powered by purpose and community.
67 Miles on Foot: David’s Palace to Pier Mega-Hike for ESTEEM
Participant: David Beaken
Distance: 67 miles
Duration: 39 hours
Charity: ESTEEM
Funds raised: £2,389+
Starting at Buckingham Palace at 6am, David and a small team began the long journey home on foot.
What followed was a gruelling 39 hours through London, Surrey and over the relentless Sussex Downs. Hills upon hills, blistered feet, dodgy service station sandwiches, emotional highs, emotional lows — and the unforgettable moment standing at the top of Ditchling Beacon with Brighton finally in sight.
“I was blown away by ESTEEM’s HQ — it’s a warm, welcoming space that gives young people real-world support. Once we learned their home was under threat, we knew we had to do something.” — David Beaken
Every mile helped raise vital funds to keep ESTEEM’s Shoreham base open for the next generation of young people.
Fundraising for this year's Palace to Pier has now closed, however, you can donate directly to Esteem via this link.
50km Ultra Marathon: Andy & David’s Run to the Sea
Participants: Andy Hovey & David Beaken
Distance: 50km
Charity: ESTEEM
Funds raised: Smashed £2,000 target
Ultra marathons don’t get easier even if you’ve run one before.
With colleagues cheering them on from Steyning through to the finish line, they pushed through brutal climbs, slowing pace, and “broken bodies” to get the job done.
“It wasn’t just a run — it was a half marathon, followed by another half of hiking, then a final few miles of sheer willpower.” — David Beaken
“We couldn’t have done it without the support from friends, family and colleagues.” — Andy Hovey
Hike Against Homelessness — Clock Tower Sanctuary
Participant: Fleur Walsh
Distance: Half marathon
Weather: Aggressively wind-blasted
Charity: Clock Tower Sanctuary
27 hikers, one route, and a mission: to support young people in Brighton & Hove experiencing homelessness.
Teams from Oakley, BrightLocal, and DMH Stallard braved classic British summer rain and gale-force winds to complete the Lewes-to-Brighton trek, raising awareness and funds for the only drop-in service in the city supporting homeless young people aged 16–25.
Paddle Battles at Hove Lagoon — Speedee Boarding
Few events capture Oakley’s chaotic competitive streak quite like Speedee Boarding.
Teams: Brighton Office vs. Lewes Office
Event: Paddle Board Relay & Demolition Derby
Location: Hove Lagoon
Charity: Multiple local causes
The sun was out, the water was (mostly) calm, and the inter-office rivalry was fierce. Both teams gave everything, but it was Executive Chairman, Chris Oakley, who stole the show by winning the infamous “Demolition Derby”, a last-person-standing paddle board battle. Considering he has paddle boarded the Amazon, we wouldn't expect anything less!
Golf Days for Grace Eyre, Blood Cancer UK & Martlets Hospice
Golf buggies, plaid trousers, and a lot of grit. Our teams headed to some of the county’s biggest charity tournaments this year.
Grace Eyre – BHEAA Presidents Cup
Organised by Lewes Director David Beaken, the Brighton & Hove Estate Agents Association Presidents Cup brought together local property professionals for a day on the green in support of Grace Eyre. With Oakley colleagues Murray Kerr, Andy Hovey, Nick Williams and David Beaken taking part, the event raised approximately £2,500 to support people with learning disabilities across Sussex.
Blood Cancer UK – Wooton & Bean Golf Day
Oakley Property colleagues were proud to take part in the Wootton & Bean Golf Day, supporting the vital work of Blood Cancer UK. Represented by Murray Kerr, Andy Hovey, Nick Williams and David Beaken, the day combined friendly competition with a shared commitment to funding life-saving research and support services.
Martlets Hospice – Great Mates Cup
Oakley Property also supported the Great Mates Cup in aid of Martlets Hospice, with Senior Sales Consultant Sam Williams representing the firm. The event helped raise funds for hospice care services supporting people and families across Brighton & Hove and surrounding areas.
Across all tournaments, thousands of pounds were raised for disability inclusion, cancer research and hospice care.
International Impact — Chris Oakley’s Zambezi Expedition
While a lot of our charity work happens here in Sussex, some stories take place much further afield.
On his Zambezi white-water expedition, Chris helped fund:
- A Kat Clover scholarship for a child
- A multi-sports pitch at Rainbow Hope School
- A classroom for children in Blantyre, Malawi
Company-Wide Giving
Alongside the major challenges, smaller but hugely meaningful fundraising also took place:
- Macmillan Coffee Morning
- Save The Children Christmas Jumper Day
Macmillan Coffee Morning
Our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning took place across both our Brighton and Hove offices as well as our Shoreham Property Hub. Boasting a wide array of treats from vegan sausages rolls to gluten-free victoria sponge, protein cupcakes and cheese and olive twists — Macmillan Coffee Morning might just be Oakley's favourite day of the year!
Save The Children Christmas Jumper Day
Our teams were delighted to dress up once again for Christmas Jumper Day, raising funds to help children across the world build safer, brighter futures. Colleagues across all our offices donned their merry best, truly getting into the festive spirit!
More Than Fundraising
Looking back on the year, we are incredibly proud of what our colleagues have achieved together. From endurance challenges and community events to international projects and office-wide fundraising, 2025 has shown what’s possible when people commit their time, energy and effort to causes that matter. Every challenge taken on and every pound raised reflects the care we have for the communities around us, both locally and further afield.
This has been a great year for charity at Oakley, and we see it as a starting point rather than a finish line. In 2026, we plan to build on this momentum, take on even bigger challenges and support even more causes that make a real difference. Make sure you are following us on social media to keep up with everything we are working towards next year and to see what we achieve together.