Last week, Platinum Property Partners, the UK’s fastest growing premium franchise, kicked off its 10-year birthday celebrations by pledging to raise £5,000 for a homeless charity.

During Monday night’s birthday party celebrations, held at the beautiful Coombe Abbey in Coventry, Platinum’s founder, Steve Bolton, convinced franchise partner, Suky Walia, to shave off half his beard for charity.

Suky, who has been with Platinum Property Partners since 2008, is always life and soul of the party and his crazy black beard has been somewhat of a talking point among fellow franchise partners since he grew it early last year.

After little persuasion, he agreed to shave off half his beard and keep it that way for a week if £1,000 could be raised in the room. Within minutes, the target had been reached and the following morning, on the second day of the National Workshop at the nearby De Vere Staverton Estate, Steve did the honours for Suky in front of a live audience.

The bar was also raised and the target is now £5,000, which Steve and Suky hope can be raised within a couple of weeks. You can donate here.

Suky said: “Everyone used to tell me how much they had hated it but funnily enough, as soon as I agreed to shave it off, everyone started to like it. It’s for a great cause though, so I don’t mind at all.”

Over 220 people attended the circus-themed birthday party at Coombe Abbey, during which former franchise partners, employees and suppliers were also invited back to help Platinum celebrate 10 successful years of franchising.

A spectacular fireworks display, circus entertainers and magicians were on the menu, along with a delicious buffet, and after cutting the cake with Platinum’s two other directors, Steve Hogan and Richard Davies, Steve Bolton thanked everyone for their support over the past decade.

“It’s been a fantastic ten years and we would not have enjoyed the level of success we have without the commitment of our franchise partners, employees and dedicated suppliers,” said Steve. “We’ve come a long way since the franchise was launched, with just myself and my accounts assistance, Lisa, who is still part of our team today, working from my home office.

“We’re also well on track to achieve our vision, which is to help 500 families to achieve financial security, provide high quality affordable homes to rent to 10,000 professional tenants, pay £150 million in tax and donate £10 million to charities or not for profit organisations.

“Our latest efforts to raise £5,000 for a homeless charity will help those not fortunate enough to be able to afford a safe and warm place to live.”

We have various things planned to continue our anniversary celebrations throughout the remainder of the year, so watch this space to hear all about them.