The organisers are estimating that over 90 charities and 2,300 supporters will take part in this year’s walk, and are delighted to see all the returning organisations as well as those participating for the first time. The event format allows supporters to complete their sponsored walk anytime during September, with sponsorship forms and guidance available from the Fun Walk team.

Rani Moorcroft MBE FRSA, Managing Director of Zedgeneration CIC, said:

“We are joining the Fun Walk this year for the first time to raise money to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds become active local and global citizens. Together, tackling issues like climate change, and post pandemic effects on education, employment, health we’ll empower them to succeed.”

John Baron MP and Chair of the Fun Walk Trustees said:

“Many local charities use this as a key funding event for the year, and we have a ‘Bonus Pot’ ready to distribute, courtesy of our wonderful local businesses who have pledged nearly £25,000. They include Brown & Carroll (London), Swan New Homes, Anisha Grange Care Home, Butyl Products, IFE Global Logistics, Leonardo MW, Tunnelcraft, McDonald’s Restaurants Basildon and others.”

There is still time for charities, local schools and churches, grass roots sports teams and other community interest groups to participate – they can register 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 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.