This episode of The Viking Chats is a little different. It’s part of Podcasthon – a global movement bringing podcasts together from across the world to shine a spotlight on charities and the incredible work they do.

And for this special episode, I’m joined by Megan Eighteen, President of ARLA Propertymark and trustee of what might just be the property industry’s best-kept secret: The Propertymark Trust.

If you work in estate agency or lettings in the UK, chances are you’ve heard of Propertymark – the membership body helping raise standards, education and professionalism across the sector.

But what many people don’t know about is the charity quietly working behind the scenes supporting people in our industry when life takes an unexpected turn.

The Propertymark Trust exists to do two simple but powerful things:

support education and provide hardship grants.

On the education side, the Trust helps people access the qualifications they need to build careers in property – offering grants that can cover anything from a quarter of the cost to the full amount. It’s about making sure talent and ambition aren’t held back by financial barriers.

But it’s the hardship work that really shows the heart of the charity.

Because sometimes life throws things at people that no one could possibly plan for.

Through the Trust, support has been given for things like:

▪ Covering funeral costs after sudden bereavement

▪ Supporting families who lose loved ones unexpectedly

▪ Paying wages for people undergoing cancer treatment

▪ Funding specialist equipment for those who lose their sight

▪ Helping people rebuild their lives after domestic violence

▪ Installing accessibility adaptations after serious illness or injury

In short – when someone in the property industry finds themselves facing the hardest moments of their life, the Trust steps in with practical help and human support.

And crucially, it does so quickly.

Because hardship doesn’t wait six weeks for a committee meeting.

During our conversation Megan explains how the Trust works, how applications are handled by a small team of industry volunteers, and why confidentiality and compassion sit at the centre of everything they do.

We also talk about the wider role Propertymark plays in professionalising the sector, Megan’s own journey into property (one of the rare people who actually planned to join the industry!), and why supporting the next generation of agents matters more than ever.

Finally, we touch on the extraordinary fundraising efforts currently happening across the industry — including Sarka Wilde’s recent attempt to summit Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas, in aid of the Trust.

While the climb itself didn’t go to plan and Sarka had to be medically evacuated before the final ascent, she is thankfully safe back in the UK – and the awareness and funds raised for the Trust have already made a huge difference.

This episode is about something bigger than property.

It’s about community.

It’s about compassion.

And it’s about an industry looking after its own.

If you work in property and didn’t know this charity existed – you do now.

And chances are, one day someone in our industry will need it.

🎧 Tune in now to hear the full conversation.