Property industry supports the Huntington’s Disease Association with incredible energy and ingenuity.
“We’ve done some crazy things to raise money,” says Graham Wilson, Board Trustee of the ‘Do it for Dom’ charity.
“In 2024, we held an Adventure Challenge in Northampton based on old school sports events. People took part in a sack race, a Space Hopper race and a foam tunnel challenge. Adults travelled from all corners of the UK to dress in chicken costumes and throw themselves around an obstacle course on the hottest day of the year.
“All that effort paid off, though, as we were able to give £30,000 of the funds we raised to the Huntington’s Disease Association.”
In total, since 2018, ‘Do it for Dom’ has raised well over £200,000 for the Huntington’s Disease Association.
Graham explains how ‘Do it for Dom’ was launched and why the charity has chosen to devote so much time and energy to supporting people with Huntington’s disease.
"It all started when my good friend Dominic Subbiani was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease in 2017,” he says. “Suzanna Mavity and Simon Whale, our close friends, suggested doing something to help him. Dom thought that no one would join us, but we had other ideas and ‘Do It For Dom’ was born.”
More and more people from across the property industry came together to take on fundraising challenges, and the ‘Do it for Dom’ community swelled from a handful of friends to several hundred people.
As well as dressing up as giant chickens for an ‘It’s a Knock Out’ style competition, intrepid property professionals have raised money by climbing Snowdon, canoeing down the River Wye, tackling three mountains in the Peak District and taking part in a dragon boat race.
“We were very sad and concerned when we first heard about Dom’s diagnosis,” says Graham, “not just for him, but for his family too, as Huntington’s is hereditary. Huntington’s is one of the forgotten diseases that you don’t tend to hear about unless you know somebody who’s got it."
“Dom is such a character, such a generous person. If you ever needed help, he’d be there for you with his big smile. We wanted to give him some moral support to show that, no matter what he was going through, we were there for him."
I’m very proud that ‘Do it for Dom’ has raised so much money for the Huntington’s Disease Association. Dom and his family have been overwhelmed by everything that we’ve done. He knows that we’re determined to carry on raising funds and raising awareness to support other people like him who are living with Huntington’s.
“As a charity, we’re almost entirely funded by philanthropy, so it’s vital for us to receive this support from ‘Do it for Dom’,” says Louise Merrin, Head of Fundraising at the Huntington’s Disease Association.
We’re amazed not just by the huge amount of money they’ve raised for us, but by the heart and determination behind their fundraising. They’ve rallied around their friend Dom with so much love and energy. Their fundraising feels like a celebration of Dom, and that’s really powerful.
“They’ve also helped cut through the stigma and misunderstanding that so often surrounds Huntington’s disease. Thanks to ‘Do it for Dom’, so many people across the UK have heard about our charity and now understand more about the disease. They’ve created a positive ripple effect and a sustained impact. When we say that we’re inspired by our community, this is what we’re talking about.”
Corporate fundraising
Are you or your company interested in doing corporate fundraising for the Huntington's Disease Association? There are many ways you can get involved. From big fundraising events like the Do it for Dom group or through schemes such as Charity of the Year, Payroll giving or event sponsorship.