READY TO TAKE OFF - LATEST FROM THE FUN WALK TRUST - CATCH UP WITH US?

 

With September now upon us, the trustees of The Fun Walk Trust are delighted by the response to this year’s walk and wish all participants every success in their fundraising efforts.

 John Baron, Chair of the Fun Walk Trustees, said:

“The Fun Walk team and I wish the 80 organisations and thousands of supporters every success during their fundraising walks in September. We are thrilled to see such a fantastic community response again this year – it shows great spirit and with £35,000 in the Bonus Pot, we hope this will be another record-breaking year, raising vital funds and increasing awareness for a wide range of worthy causes..”

 “As ever, we thank the local businesses and people who have so far generously supported this year’s Bonus Pot. These include Brown & Carroll (London), Sanctuary Housing Association, One Footstep, Tunnelcraft Ltd, Butyl Products Group, c2c Rail Ltd, Equi Ltd, Barrie and Marilyn Stone, and other individuals including the trustees. The Bonus Pot once again showcases the strong community spirit of local businesses”

 It’s not too late for other local charities and community groups to join the event, please register at  www.thefunwalktrust.co.uk.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

About the Fun Walk:

 

What began as a tribute to the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 quickly blossomed into something extraordinary. Spearheaded by John Baron MP and his dedicated team, the very first Fun Walk raised £6,000 for six inspiring charities and community projects. It was more than just a walk—it was a movement in the making.

Year after year, the Fun Walk grew and in 2013 it was time to become a registered charity: The Fun Walk Trust (Charity No. 1151626).

John Baron CBE remains at the helm as Chair of Trustees, rallying support from generous local businesses to build the amazing Bonus Pot—a fundraising multiplier that adds extra magic to every step.

Thanks to a great team of volunteers, much of the admin for holding a sponsored walk is provided to participating groups, allowing them to focus on what matters most: raising sponsorship money and enjoying their walks.

And it’s not just for registered charities—any community-minded cause, once approved, is welcome! From schools and churches to grassroots community groups, the Fun Walk is open to all.

In 2020, facing the challenges of COVID-19, the Trust didn’t miss a beat. The event transformed into a remote format, empowering supporters to walk wherever and whenever they could during the month of September. It was a hit—and the flexibility and inclusivity of the virtual format continues to this day.

In 2025 walkers and Bonus Pot sponsors came together in record-breaking form – raising £121,024 including an amazing 35% bonus from the Fun Walk Bonus Pot. This total pushed the amount raised by the Fun Walk since 2002 to a phenomenal £1,750,000, benefitting hundreds of local charities and projects over the years.

 Our current Trustees are John Baron (chair), Sandra Bastow, Christine Brewster, Sylvia Kent, and Professor Michael Almond—and they continue to steer this cherished organisation with passion and pride.

ANOTHER SET OF CONGRATULATIONS TO LOUISE ANDERSON IN PERSHORE

 

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO ELIZABETH WALLACE FOR PRODUCING A SUPERB NEW VERSION OF HER EARLIER BEST SELLER

 

30 Exceptional Places to Visit in England…Off the Beaten Track by Elizabeth Wallace (Author)  Format: Kindle Edition

---

Discover the England most travellers never find.

Beyond London's famous landmarks lies a quieter, stranger, more captivating England — one of Viking battlefields and smugglers' tunnels, of witches and wool merchants, of castles that shaped the Magna Carta and churchyards that connect directly to the founding of America.

30 Exceptional Places to Visit in England…Off the Beaten Track is a personal guide to thirty remarkable villages and towns in the historic Home Counties of Essex, Kent, and East Sussex. Written by English-born author Elizabeth Victoria Wallace, this is not a list of tourist attractions — it is an invitation into the real history, legend, and character of places most guidebooks ignore.

Walk the hill where Lawrence Washington, great-great-grandfather of America's first President, was driven from his pulpit. Explore the ancient wooden church that sheltered the body of a martyred Saxon king. Stand on the shore at Pevensey where William the Conqueror's invasion changed England forever. Discover the village that inspired John Harvard to found a university, and the quiet Essex town where Gustav Holst composed The Planets.

Each chapter pairs rich storytelling with practical travel information — what to see, where to eat, where to stay — making this both a compelling read and an indispensable companion for the discerning traveller.

Perfect for: Anglophiles, history lovers, travellers planning a UK trip, and anyone who wants to experience England beyond the obvious.

BRENTWOOD WRITERS' CIRCLE 85TH CELEBRATIONS

 Many thanks to our friends, families and colleagues for help in celebrating Brentwood Writers' Circle's 85th birthday recently.  Here we have just half of our regular members, so hoping to snap the rest of them later in the year. Great news that our membership is growing, year by year plus the news that many of our authors are seeing their books published via Amazon. Do take a peep at www.brentwoodwriterscircle.com and check out our amazing history which began on 1 May 1941. 

BRENTWOOD WRITERS' CIRCLE - LAUNCHING MEMBERS' NEW BOOKS

 It was good to see new faces at Brentwood's Bardswell Social Club on Saturday last, particularly as Jim Reeve - one of our longest serving members -  launched his brand new book The Survivor's Daughter.  Jim is probably best known for his non-fiction books relating to Essex - still popular and available at Waterstones' stores, so this new title really is a change in style and genre.  

WELCOME TO SWWJ'S MEMBER CHERRY BURROUGHS' NEW BEST SELLING NOVEL

'

 

 THE GLITTERING JOURNEY OF MOLLY KATRICK

By Cherry Burroughs

Available on Amazon and print

This is a fascinating story set in what at first seems a perfect marriage. Molly appears to enjoy living in her beautiful home with Dexter, that charming wealthy husband and their  two delightful children,  Life is good – what possibly could go wrong? In Burroughs’ prologue, we sense a hint of  impending turbulence. It’s a clever device, for the tale that follows explores how swiftly a seemingly perfect life can fracture, and how a woman must fight to rebuild herself when the foundations give way.

At first, Molly Katrick appears to enjoydomestic bliss, but Burroughs is far too shrewd a storyteller to let perfection linger. The old maxim that “nothing stays the same for long” proves painfully true when Molly discovers that Dexter has suddenly flown to Brazil, leaving no contact nor explanation. The shock is devastating, and the manner in which Molly deals with her spiralling distress is perhaps not sensible. What begian as a glass of wine to steady her nerves, soon becomes a  lunchtime bottle. Soon, Social Services step in and mayhem ensues. The consequences are shattering. Burroughs does not sensationalise these moments; instead, she shows how quickly a woman’s life can unravel when grief, fear and loneliness collide.

This contemporary fictional novel is  engaging, and one that examines resilience in the face of betrayal. Burroughs’ storytelling is heartfelt, perceptive and quietly compelling, making Molly’s journey glittering or otherwise - one that readers will follow with sympathy and admiration.

 

YESTERDAY'S WONDERFUL VISIT TO THE FAMOUS REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

  

 

Our Fun Walk Trust team is delighted to recognise the outstanding and long-standing connection with Remus Memorial Horse Sactuary, a dedicated animal welfare charity. 

 

Based in Essex, Remus provides rescue, rehabilitation and lifetime care for animals that have suffered neglect or abuse. Participation in The Fun Walk Trust events plays a vital role in supporting this work, and through its unique approach, Remus incorporates holistic therapies to improve the animals’ physical and emotional wellbeing.

 In 2025, Remus achieved a remarkable Fun Walk related fundraising total of £7,493, demonstrating the benefits of participating in the event and the continued generosity and commitment of its supporters and volunteers. In total, the 2025 Fun Walk event raised more than £121,000 for charities and local community groups.

 Founder and Chair of Remus, Sue Burton said:

“We have participated in the Billericay Fun Walk for well over 15 years and it had become one of our major fundraising events during the year. It helps so much towards the running costs of the sanctuary and feeding the 70 horses that we have here. We are so grateful to the organisers for their hard work every year and to the wonderful Bonus Pot sponsors, without whom the event just would not be the same. Their generosity never fails to amaze us.”

 John Baron, Founder and Chair of The Fun Walk Trust, said:

“Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary has been a valued participant in our events for many years. Their dedication to animal welfare and their innovative holistic care approach make them a truly inspiring charity to support, and we are thrilled to have them join us each year and raise much needed funds.”

 The sanctuary receives no government funding and relies entirely on fundraising initiatives and public support to continue its essential work. Events such as the Fun Walk are therefore crucial in ensuring the charity can maintain the high standard of care required for its animals.
 

The Fun Walk Trust would like to extend sincere thanks to all Bonus Pot sponsors whose support makes the event possible. They include: Tunnelcraft Ltd, Brown & Carroll (London), Sanctuary Housing Association, One Footstep, Butyl Products Group, c2c Railway Limited, Equi Ltd, Mr Barrie Stone, and other generous individuals.

 There is still plenty of time for charities and community groups to register and be part of this September’s event. For more information or to sign up, visit: www.thefunwalktrust.co.uk 

 

FUN WALK PRESS RELEASE – 20th May 2026 

Strong start as 50 Groups already registered for 2026 Fun Walk

 

The organisers of the annual Fun Walk are delighted to announce that 50 charities and community groups have already registered to take part in this year’s Fun Walk, with sponsored walks planned throughout September. With registrations continuing to grow steadily, the Trustees are encouraged by the strong early response and are hopeful that a record number of groups may eventually register.
 
The Fun Walk Trust supports local charities, schools, churches, grassroots sports teams and other community groups, and this is helped by their fundraising being given an extra boost through the Fun Walk’s generous Bonus Pot. Funded by donations from local businesses and individuals, the Bonus Pot is shared on a pro-rata basis depending on and in addition to the sponsorship money raised by participating organisations – thus delivering a valuable uplift and helping them raise even more for their causes.
 
The 2026 Bonus Pot donors so far include Tunnelcraft Ltd, Brown & Carroll (London), Sanctuary Housing Association, One Footstep, Butyl Products Group, c2c Railway Limited, Equi Ltd, Mr Barrie Stone and other individuals.
 
John Baron, Chair of The Fun Walk Trust, said:
 
“The Trustees and I are very pleased to see such a positive start to registrations for the 2026 Fun Walk. 50 organisations having registered at this early stage highlights the continued importance of the event in helping local groups raise vital funds for their work in the community. We look forward to welcoming many more participants as we build towards September.”
 
In recent years, the event has continued to grow, with over £121,000 raised in 2025 alone and more than £1.75 million generated for local good causes since its inception in 2002.
 
There is still plenty of time for charities and community groups to register and be part of this year’s event.
 
For more information or to sign up, visit: www.thefunwalktrust.co.uk