There is something rather special about the Cambridge business community. It is a place where people know each other, collaborate regularly and, perhaps most importantly, are always willing to come together to support a good cause.
Our annual Carter Jonas vs COEL Charity Cricket Match is a great example of this, bringing together people from across the property and construction sector for a day of cricket, competition, plenty of friendly rivalry and, most importantly, fundraising for charities that make a real difference locally.
This year, we are delighted to have raised an incredible £57,000, our biggest fundraising total yet, shared between three fantastic charities: The Phoenix Trust, Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and CamSight.
Lizzie Bradbury, Engagement and Communications Manager at COEL said:
“We’re so incredibly grateful to everyone who supports the day. It’s so hard to list them all as so many people give in tremendous ways… For us it’s a real triumph to bring the local community together and raise money for three such incredible charities.”
The match began with a fairly humble ambition: to create an enjoyable sporting day that was accessible to the wider Cambridge business community while raising money for charity.
Four years on, it has grown into one of the events we most look forward to in the COEL calendar, with businesses from across the property and construction sector coming together to support it, sponsor it, take part and bring along their clients, colleagues, friends and families.
For us, that sense of community is at the heart of what makes the event so worthwhile. We are incredibly proud of the relationships we have built across Cambridge and of the way so many organisations are willing to use those relationships to support causes that matter.
What makes the day particularly rewarding is seeing just how many different parts of our industry come together.
Architects, consultants, contractors, agents, lawyers, developers and professional services businesses all play a part, whether that is through sponsoring the event, donating prizes, taking to the pitch or simply turning up to support the day.
It is a reminder that the relationships we build through our work can create something positive well beyond the projects we deliver.
Sophie Thornley, Construction Partner at gunnercooke, said:
“Gunnercook is thrilled to be a headline / main sponsor today. I love coming to this event…it’s one of my favourite events of the year as it just brings everybody together… it makes me feel really privileged to be part of the Cambridge property industry, which is a really special place to be.”
That is what social value means to us at COEL. It is about looking at the skills, resources and relationships we have and asking how we can use them to benefit the communities around us.
Sometimes that means supporting a local charity. Sometimes it is volunteering or creating opportunities. And sometimes it looks like hundreds of people coming together at Fenner’s for an afternoon of cricket, fundraising and community spirit.
We are incredibly grateful to The Phoenix Trust, Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and CamSight for the work they do across our community and proud that the generosity of everyone involved in this year’s event will help them continue that work.
Of course, an event like this would not be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors. A huge thank you to all of our headline sponsors and main sponsors, as well as Saffron Grange Vineyard, our exclusive sparkling wine sponsor, and everyone who donated prizes, volunteered their time or helped make the day such a success.
The continued support we receive demonstrates just how committed the Cambridge property and construction community is to making a positive difference.
The cricket may bring a little healthy competition between Carter Jonas and COEL, but ultimately this is an event where everyone wins! The charities receive much-needed support, businesses have the opportunity to connect, and the Cambridge community gets another reason to come together.
Richard Brent, Managing Director of COEL, added:
“At COEL, we talk a lot about creating positive impact through the spaces we deliver, but events like this show the difference our industry can make beyond the built environment. Seeing so many businesses come together to support local charities is incredibly rewarding and a reminder of the strength of the Cambridge community.
“£57,000 is an incredible achievement, but the real success is the generosity and community spirit behind it. We’re incredibly proud of what has been achieved together and excited to see how the event continues to grow.”
We are already looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together at the next annual match. Keep an eye on our news and events to be the first to get the tickets for 2027.
