Essex Therapy Dogs with Fun Walk Trustees and Richard Moss

The Fun Walk Trustees were delighted to visit Witham Leisure Centre to see the work of Essex Therapy Dogs, who are one of the many charities and local community groups registered for this year’s Fun Walk.

Tina Jullings, who founded Essex Therapy Dogs in 2021, said:

“In 2023, we were invited to join the Fun Walk for the first time. Registration was simple to do, and we were provided with posters and sponsorship forms which were sent to all the members of Essex Therapy Dogs.”

“As the event was so flexible, our members were able to complete the 5k sponsored walk anytime between 1st – 30th September, and we decided to schedule a week of sponsored walks in Colchester, Braintree, Southend, and Chelmsford during the first week of September where we raised over £300. The Fun Walk Trustee’s then gave us £122 from the bonus pot. As a small charity, every penny raised helps us provide comfort, help and support to people who need it. For these people, a visit from a therapy dog can be the highlight of their week, as our dogs can help the sick, lonely and elderly people feel happier and not so alone.”

“We have signed up again to do it this year and are looking forward to raising more much needed funds for our amazing dog therapy group.”

Richard Moss, Community and Health Development Manager at Witham Leisure Centre said:

“Essex Therapy Dogs have been joining us at our Social Spaces sessions for over a year now. They have proved hugely popular with visitors, in particular children. We love the partnership with Essex Therapy Dogs and we are fully supportive of their mission statement. The dogs bring real joy to members and visitors at Witham Leisure Centre.”

The Fun Walk team is estimating that over 90 charities and a record 3,000 supporters will take part in this year’s walk, and look forward to seeing all the returning organisations as well as those participating for the first time.

Fun Walk Trustee, Sandra Bastow, said:

“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“

“We are lucky to have the support of wonderful local businesses who have donated over £30,000 to this year’s Bonus Pot. They include Greater Anglia, Sanctuary Housing Association, Brown & Carroll, Butyl Products Group, Tunnelcraft, IFE Global Logistics, Mr Barrie Stone and others.”

About the Fun Walk:

John Baron 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.

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). 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 in addition to the monies they themselves raise in sponsorship.

The 2023 event raised over £85,000 for local charities and community groups, and brought the total money raised since the Fun Walk’s inception to £1,535,000.

The Fun Walk Trust organises the walk and takes care of 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.

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 switch to a virtual format, allowing supporters to walk the distance anytime during the selected month. This proved to be very successful and will be continued for the foreseeable future.