John Baron MP calls on charities to register for the 2014 Fun Walk

MP sends out 300 invitations and congratulates bonus pot sponsors

John Baron MP and his Committee have just started sending out invitations to local authorities, schools, community groups and other good causes asking them to register for the 2014 Fun Walk. John and his Committee organise the annual Fun Walk which, this year, will be held on 18^th May, again at Barleylands Farm. As with previous years, the aim of the Fun Walk is to raise money for charities and good causes/projects, in what will be a fun afternoon for the family.

Each year the Walk goes from strength to strength, and in 2013 the Fun Walk raised almost £100,000 for 110 projects – bringing the total raised to over £537,000 since the Fun Walk’s inception in 2002. Because of the generosity of corporate and individual sponsors each project will receive a bonus over and above what they raise themselves in sponsorship. In 2013, for every £100 raised by projects in sponsorship, the bonus pot added a further £80 [see attached factsheet]

Partly because of its growing popularity, the Fun Walk became a registered charity in early 2013, and is now The Fun Walk Trust (charity no.1151626).

John said:

“Our Committee is sending out hundreds of invitations to come and join us for the 2014 Fun Walk, so if you know of a good cause that could benefit then please get in touch. Our contact details are 07544324218 or email funwalk@hotmail.co.uk in order to register.”

“A unique feature of this walk is that local businesses generously donate to a bonus pot which is then distributed to all participating good causes. Last year, for every £100 raised in sponsorship, the bonus pot added £80.”

“The bonus pot sponsors have been instrumental to the success of the walk. Our thanks go to the 2013 sponsors who were Swan Housing Association, NYSE Euronext, c2c Rail Ltd, Veolia Environmental Services, Hallmark Care Homes, Toomey Motors, Bellway Homes, Barratt Homes, Selex ES, Ford Motor Co, IFE Global Logistics, Mr Barrie Stone, and others.”

Ends

Word Count: 350

Date: 31^st January 2014

Notes to Editors

• The attached photographs show 1) John with sponsors at last year’s cheque presentation 2) John at the start of the 2013 Walk.
• Contact details are: The Fun Walk Committee, 13 Bentalls Business Park, Bentalls, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3BN, phone 07544324218 or email funwalk@hotmail.co.uk. More information is available at www.thefunwalktrust.co.uk.