Renowned estate agency trainer and consultant Julian O’Dell’s fundraiser festival Catfest (named after his wife Cat) which has proved to be a big hit within the property industry community over the years is all set to happen again in August 2023.

The previous Catfest raised over £52,000 for Action Against Cancer and the aim is to beat that sum this time around. The running total from the event is close to an amazing £200,000.

But the mini-festival at the O’Dells’ home near Milton Keynes will be a very different event this year as Cat sadly passed away in October 2022, following her 12 year cancer journey.

Julian says: “I wrestled long and hard with the decision to rerun Catfest after the enforced break caused by Covid and Cat’s illness, but since her passing, I have had so much support about our festival that I went ahead. I am glad of the distraction. There is something to do relating to Catfest every single day for many months before the day itself. Keeping busy helps me handle my grief. I know it is what Cat would have wanted – she was an Ambassador for Action Against Cancer and recognised how important funding their work is.”

Action Against Cancer are a small charity with low overheads who undertake brilliant research work in establishing new treatments for the disease and all relevant information can be found at www.aacancer.org

As Cat herself explained when addressing the Catfest crowd in 2017: “As cancer patients, we all need hope. Research for cures or better treatment gives us that hope. We are therefore proud to support Action Against Cancer.”

Catfest 2023 will include over ten hours of exceptional music, wonderful food and copious drink. It is a unique festival as everything is included in the ticket price!

There will be a few surprises too, as Julian aims to make it the best ever Catfest both in terms of the total raised but the memories made.

As always, the good folk of the wonderful world of estate agency have stepped up to support the event. Sponsors include Julian’s friends and clients Kerfuffle, Abbey New Homes, Moneypenny and The Depositary plus estate agents Drivers and Norris, Rush Witt & Wilson, Hilbery Chaplin, Anthony Pepe, Frosts, Cowell Norford, Hodders, Steve Gooch, Peter Clarke and many more. Further sponsors are welcome to align themselves with this very special event.

Some fascinating auction lots will be up for grabs with details released soon. There will also be a selection of Julian’s artwork on sale, which has raised over £35,000 as a separate project. Alongside all this, Julian’s four year “Hitmakers Against Cancer” signed guitar project, which has seen almost 150 famous musicians sign a series of donated guitars, will culminate with all the guitars being auctioned to raise more money for the charity – Brian May, Jools Holland, Stereophonics and many more have kindly been part of this unique initiative. Some of the guitars have already been sold, raising circa £12,000 so far.

If you can support the event in any way via sponsorship, by providing auction lots, by donating raffle prizes, or even to offer your help on the day, please contact Julian on 07718 634235 or email julianodell@live.co.uk