With registered charities and local good causes estimating they have more than 2,000 participants who will take part in the 2021 Fun Walk, the pressure has been on The Fun Walk Trust to ensure that there is a ‘Bonus Pot’ ready to use, and our wonderful local businesses have responded by pledging nearly £25,000.
The ‘Bonus Pot’ remains a key incentive for supporters to take part as it tops up the money raised in sponsorship by each participating organisation.
The event organisers are hoping to beat last year’s total raised of £103,000 that went to registered charities, local schools and churches, grass roots sports teams and other community groups.
John Baron MP and Chair of the Fun Walk Trustees said:
“We are all trying to make this another record year, as we know how difficult it remains for charities and local groups to raise funds on their own. The event organisation is done by the Fun Walk team, which means participating organisations can concentrate on getting their supporters on-board, and focused on raising sponsorship money for their walk.
Our thanks go to the generous local businesses that have committed to support the 2021 Fun Walk. So far they include Swan New Homes, Anisha Grange Care Home, Butyl Products, IFE Global Logistics, Leonardo MW, Tunnelcraft, McDonald’s Restaurants Basildon and others. Businesses are welcome to join us and use the Fun Walk as their charity conduit given the event supports 80-100 charities each year.”
Organisations are encouraged to register at www.thefunwalktrust.co.uk
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 2020, raising £103,000 for local Charities and good causes. This brings the total raised to £1,272,000 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 was 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 2020, it added 30% to the amount raised by participants.
The Fun Walk Trust organises the walk and takes care of the paperwork, leaving the projects free to focus on raising sponsorship money and enjoy 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.
In 2020, given the challenges presented by COVID-19 and the recognition that our local charities and good causes needed our help more than ever, the decision was made to hold a virtual event, allowing supporters able to walk the distance anytime during the month. This proved to be very successful and so will be repeated for 2021.