Just Mortgages senior trainer pens second children’s book for Magic Moments charity

30 April 2024

Greg Smith, senior trainer for the employed division at Just Mortgages, has written a follow-up children’s book to support the company’s Magic Moments children’s charity.

The book is the next instalment in the ‘Jess and Her Fabulous Friends’ series – following the adventures of a little girl called Jess, a bird called Bob and an elephant called Frank. This time, Jess and her Fabulous Friends ‘pay a super special visit’ to a hospital to help cheer up the children in their ward.

It was officially launched at Just Mortgages’ recent Lender Fayre in Birmingham, with more than 100 copies sold across the two-day event.

All the proceeds from the book go directly to supporting the important work of Magic Moments, which was set up in 1998 by Alick and Val Smith. Alick was the former chairman of Spicerhaart, the UK’s largest independent estate agency.

The charity continues to help children with life-limiting illnesses and their families experience the holiday of a lifetime at Disneyland Paris, raising well in excess of £1 million since it began. In addition to regular trips to Disneyland, any surplus funds are used to provide essential care equipment, as well as toys and supplies for the 13 children’s hospices the charity currently supports.

Plans are already underway for a third book in the series, following Jess and her Fabulous Friends as they themselves take the children to Disneyland. In recognition for his support and fundraising efforts, the Magic Moments board decided to nominate Greg to lead the charity’s trip to Disneyland Paris this Christmas.

Greg Smith said: “Magic Moments is a great charity which does a great thing for children with life limiting illnesses. It supports their families in times of need and gives them some amazing memories in the process. The reason I write the books is two-fold, I love writing stories and poems, and I have written many children's stories. I also do a lot of charity work, from taking part in events, to compering at charity events and this has allowed me to combine two things I love.

“It’s great to see the second book receiving such a positive response with lots of copies sold at our recent Lender Fayre and online too. It all helps in making these magical trips a reality and I’m truly honoured to be leading the trip to Disney this Christmas.”

John Phillips, CEO of Spicerhaart and Just Mortgages, added: “The Magic Moments charity means so much to everyone across Just Mortgages, Just Wealth and the wider Spicerhaart family. Greg is a fantastic example of colleagues using their skills and dedicating their time to raise money and support the tremendous work this amazing charity does.

“Like all things, Magic Moments hasn’t escaped cost increases and pressures in the current climate. This makes fundraising even more essential to ensure the charity can continue to deliver all important memories to these inspiring children and their families. It makes me incredibly proud to see colleagues continuing to get behind this fantastic cause and contribute to our annual company fundraising goal.”

Greg works in the learning and development team to provide regular training and mentoring to the employed division at Just Mortgages. This is made up of more than 150 advisers across the country and a team of divisional sales directors, financial services directors and two chapter managing directors. In addition, Just Mortgages has a self-employed division which is approaching 500 advisers.