The Basics

The Fun Walk Trust, a registered charity, publicises an annual Fun Walk event and creates the material to enable participating charities and local community groups to organise their own sponsored walk(s) during the selected month. This  leaves the participating organisations free to focus on encouraging their supporters to take part and raise sponsorship money for the organisation’s projects and good causes. 

A bonus pot donated by local businesses, incentivises supporters to take part, and tops up any money raised, over and above that raised by the participants themselves.

The Story So Far

John Baron MP and his team started the Fun Walk in 2002 to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and in the first year raised £6,000 for six charities and projects. The event became an annual one and continues to evolve.

To assist with its growth, in 2013 the Fun Walk became a registered Charity: ‘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 Fun Walk Trust with help from BBW CVS 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 hold the event as a virtual walk, allowing supporters to walk the distance anytime during the chosen month. This proved to be very successful and so we havecontinued with holding a virtual event ever since.

The 2023 Fun Walk raised a total of £85,102.46, including a 40% bonus provided by the Bonus Pot Sponsors. This means that from its inception, the Fun Walk has raised over £1,535,000 for local charities and community groups.

The current Fun Walk Trustees are Sandra Bastow, Christine Brewster, John Baron MP and Sylvia Kent.