Property industry gears up for Crypt Factor

Singing competition the Crypt Factor is back for its ninth year on March 19, bringing together 10 singers and groups in front of an audience at Elland Road in the name of charity.

Proceeds for the event go to St George’s Crypt and LionHeart. This year the event is already on target to raise £50,000 for the two causes.

This year’s acts come from a wide range of companies including GVA, Rex Procter, Blacks, Bruntwood, Irwin Mitchell, Morgans City Living, Bond Dickinson, Gent Visick, Fuse Studios, Morgan Sindall, The Harris Partnership and Addleshaw Goddard.

Paula Dillon from sponsor Bond Dickinson said the Crypt Factor is “firmly established as a key date in the property industry’s calendar” and continues to raise ten of thousands of pounds for two fantastic charities year in, year out.

She said: “The level of support we receive continues to go from strength to strength and this year we have been inundated with singers from a wide range of leading companies in the property industry, so Crypt Factor 2015 promises to be a superb event.

“As a result, tables are already selling quickly, so we would urge any companies that have still not secured their place to act sooner rather than later.”

This year’s event is backed by a host of sponsors including Bond Dickinson, Bruntwood, Morgans City Living and Town Centre Securities, with support from media partner The Yorkshire Post.

Tiger Tiger’s Lucky Voice is also on hand to provide rehearsal facilities and karaoke at the end of the evening.

Last year’s event was attend by more than 650 people from Yorkshire’s property industry and raised a record-breaking £60,000 for the two charities.

Winner Damian Connelly, a relationship director in Barclays’ Corporate Banking Division, saw off competition from eight other acts to win with a stunning performance of Angels by Robbie Williams.

Shiv Sibal and Joe Haigh from Bond Dickinson, who performed as the Blues Brothers, and Rachel Clarke from Savills, who sung Amy Winehouse’s Rehab, finished as joint runners-up.

Following his triumph, Mr Connelly said: “Winning this competition is fantastic because every act put on a great show.

“Standing up and performing in front of so many people was certainly nerve-racking but when you consider the amount of money we’ve helped to raise, it’s definitely been worth it.”

The Crypt Factor raises funds for Leeds-based church charity St George’s Crypt. The organisation has been at the frontline of support for homeless, disadvantaged and vulnerable people in Leeds and its surrounding areas since 1930.

Funds raised also go to LionHeart, a charity which offers support to Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) members and their families. It offers help in a range of circumstances, including ill health, disability, unemployment, family separation and debt related issues.

The Crypt Factor has raised more than £360,000 for the two charities since its launch in 2007.

Remaining tables of 10 for this year’s event are priced at £1,100 + VAT and can be reserved by calling Carolyn on 0113 2615713.