John Baron predicts another bumper event
The organisers of the annual Fun Walk are delighted to report that over 75 local charities and community groups have so far registered to participate in September’s Walk, with more joining each week.
The Fun Walk Trust helps charities, local schools and churches, grass roots sports teams and other community groups raise funds for their projects and initiatives through an annual sponsored walk in September of each year. It tops up the money raised in sponsorship on a pro rata basis with Bonus Pot money kindly donated by local businesses and individuals.
John Baron, Chair of the Fun Walk Trustees, said:
“We are thrilled by the enthusiastic response from the community. With over 75 organisations already signed up, it’s clear that the Fun Walk continues to be a valued opportunity for local organisations to raise much-needed funds for their causes. We look forward to seeing even more groups join in the coming weeks and benefit from an estimated 30%-40% bonus on top of the monies raised in sponsorship.”
“We would like to thank the local business who have so far generously agreed to support this year’s Bonus Pot. These include Greater Anglia, Brown & Carroll (London), Sanctuary Housing Association, One Footstep (Human Kind Café, Billericay), Equi Ltd, Butyl Products Group, Tunnelcraft Ltd, C2C Rail, Mr Barrie Stone and other individuals. This bonus acts as a real incentive for
participants to raise money for their good causes.”
There is still plenty of time to register on our website www.thefunwalktrust.co.uk”
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 was very successful and so became an annual one and one which 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 2024 event raised £100,953 for local charities and community groups, and brought the total money raised since the Fun Walk’s inception to over £1,635,000.
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 help more than ever, the decision was made to switch to a different format, allowing supporters the flexibility to walk the distance anytime during September (and not all having to gather on a specific date). This proved to be very successful and will be continued for the foreseeable future.
