SEPTEMBER IS A'COMING AND WE'RE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR'S FUN WALK

Simon Johnson(r) and team from BBWCVS

 Essex Charities Prepare for September Virtual Fun Walk

The Fun Walk organisers are estimating that over 80 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.

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

The event allows supporters to complete their sponsored walk anytime during September, with sponsorship forms and guidance available from the Fun Walk team.

John Baron, Chair of the Fun Walk Trustees said:

“The Fun Walk has raised over £1,500,000 for local charities and community groups since it started in 2002, and many use this as a key funding event for the year. We have a ‘Bonus Pot’ ready to distribute, courtesy of our wonderful local businesses who have already pledged over £30,000 for this year alone. They include Greater Anglia, Brown & Carroll, Butyl Products Group, Tunnelcraft, IFE Global Logistics, Swan Housing Group, RIS Group, Mr Barrie Stone and others.”

Let's talk 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 £85,00 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.