Buccleuch Property Challenge raises over £18,500

On Friday 5th September 2025 teams from across the UK property industry travelled to the Duke of Buccleuch’s Queensberry Estate in Dumfries and Galloway, the spectacular setting for the annual Buccleuch Property Challenge to meet for the highly anticipated adventure race.

In teams of three, 264 racers set off around the estate on a mixed discipline course designed by BlueSky Experiences covering an average of 40km over an elevation gain of up to 1000m. Activities included mountain biking, orienteering, running and additional challenges including an assault course, paddleboarding, archery and Highland Games-inspired events.

Buccleuch Property were delighted to also be raising awareness and funds for their partner charity for 2025, the Ella Dawson Foundation. When Ella was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Leukaemia in her early twenties, she discovered that wellbeing support tailored towards the unique needs of young adults with cancer in the UK was limited. She then set out to shape a blueprint of how young adults with cancer could be better supported holistically.

After her tragic death in 2021, Ella’s parents, Jane and Kevin and sister Tasha, founded the charity to continue Ella’s work.  Now, The Ella Dawson Foundation works alongside a team of experts to enable young adults, aged 18-30 years old, and their families and carers access tailored psychological, physical, nutritional and wellbeing support packages unique to their needs at any stage of their cancer diagnosis within a safe, supporting, like-minded and rapidly growing community.

Jane, Kevin and Tasha joined the property teams on the course, which also included a Wim Hof-inspired meditation tent, giving competitors a chance to rest and reflect on the charity’s goals. The post-race raffle and auction contributed to raising over £18,500 for the charity.

The teams were competing for one of 3 trophies with RSP Consulting Engineers/Drees and Sommer winning the category for mixed teams, Northumberland Estates for male and Naylors Gavin Black for female teams.

David Peck, managing director at Buccleuch Property, said: “We could not be more delighted to have raised such a significant sum for such a well deserving charity where the cash will be used for the much needed support to young people. 

“It is also great to see the Challenge has become a firm date in the property industry’s calendar and that it continues to grow in popularity every year!”

Jane Dawson at the Ella Dawson Foundation said: “We are incredibly grateful to Buccleuch Property and to every single person who took part in this year’s Buccleuch Property Challenge for their outstanding support. We are absolutely overwhelmed by the incredible amount raised, which will make a significant difference to the lives of the young people and families we support,  ensuring vital mental, physical and emotional wellbeing support is there for them when they need it most.

“It was a huge privilege to be invited to take part in such an outstanding event, and we are incredibly grateful for the warm welcome extended to us by everyone at Buccleuch Property and all our fellow participants throughout the day.”

88 teams took part this year with companies such as Anderson Strathern, CBRE, Cruden Homes, bloc Group, Grant Thornton, Native Land, Tuffin Ferraby Taylor, Trident and Shepherd Chartered Surveyors represented.

Since its first event in 2006, the Buccleuch Property Challenge has raised over £240,000 for a range of different charities.