The Fun Walk Trust is delighted to announce that 70 local charities and good causes with an estimated 900 participants have now signed up to participate in the September Virtual Fun Walk. This is a tremendous response given the decision to go ahead with a virtual event was only made in June.
Once again, the organisers are thankful for the generous support of our Bonus Pot sponsors – all of which are local businesses that have supported the Fun Walk over multiple years. The bonus pot has now reached over £30,000 and provides a significant incentive for supporters to get involved – the £30,000 will be added on a pro rata basis to monies raised by the good causes in sponsorship. Last year (2019) the bonus pot added 50p to every £1 raised in sponsorship.
John Baron MP, Chair of The Fun Walk Trust Trustees, said:
“We are delighted so many organisations have signed up to this year’s virtual event, and are very grateful for the continuing support of local businesses. This year’s sponsors are Swan Housing Association, Tunnelcraft, IFE Global Logistics, Anisha Grange Care Home, Butyl Products Group, Leonardo MW, McDonald’s Restaurants Basildon and others. Once again, these are businesses supporting our local communities.”
You can find out more about this year’s event at www.thefunwalktrust.co.uk.
About the Fun Walk
John Baron MP and his team started The Fun Walk in 2002 to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and raised £6,000 for six charities and projects. The event became an annual one and continues to grow – in 2019, raising £105,000 for local Charities and good causes. This brings the total raised to £1,169,000 since The Fun Walk’s inception.
To assist with its growth, in 2013 the Fun Walk became a registered Charity and it is now officially known as The Fun Walk Trust (Registered Charity number: 1151626), and in 2019 Basildon Billericay and Wickford CVS were appointed to administer the event on behalf of the Trustees.
John continues his role with the charity as Chair of the Trustees and by soliciting support and sponsorship from local businesses. The BONUS POT is a unique feature of the event, into which local businesses and individuals kindly donate and which is then distributed to participating organisations on a pro rata basis and in addition to the monies they themselves raise in sponsorship. In 2019, it added 50% of what was raised by participants.
The Fun Walk Trust organises the walk and takes care of all the paperwork, leaving the projects free to focus on raising sponsorship money and enjoying the event. The event is not confined to charities, any good cause or project may join us once approved by the Trust. For example, many pre-schools and schools, churches and community groups now regularly participate.
For 2020, in the light of the challenges presented by COVID-19 and the recognition that our local charities and good causes need our help more than ever, the decision was made to hold a virtual event in September. Organisations are invited to register, and their supporters can walk the distance anytime during the month.
