John Baron

Conservative Party | Billericay and District

Points of View

Charity Fun Walk - 23rd May

Following the success of previous Fun Walks, my committee and I are now planning this year's event which will take place on Sunday, 23rd May again at Barleylands Farm.

As before, the aim of the walk is to raise money for local community projects, who do not always find it easy to stage a big fundraising event. 

My committee and I will organise the event.  There will be a live band, barbeque and refreshments together with plenty of parking space for coaches and cars - the aim being to make this a fun afternoon for the whole family. 

Projects and causes chosen to participate will raise money through there own sponsorship efforts in the run up to the walk.  In addition, various corporate sponsors are committing money into a central pot which will be distributed between the various projects taking part.  Our last two Fun Walks raised over £36,000 for a wide variety of local causes.

In short, we will put the infrastructure of the walk together - and, as before, it is hoped local charities and projects will participate as fully as they can in raising money for their cause.  Walkers not part of any group can also raise sponsorship money for one of the participating good causes.

As for the walks, there will be three to choose from on the day - one will be five miles and one will be two miles.  Both will take in the circular public walk around Crays Hill and will start and finish at Barleylands Farm.  The third will be a much shorter walk within the farm and will be suitable for toddlers and the disabled.

We are now in the process of sending letters to all appropriate bodies and associations.  However, should your charity, school, church or project like to join us then please write to Mrs. Ann Akinin, House of Commons, London, SW1A OAA, by 16th February and we will send you a factsheet and sponsorship forms.

As a final note I would just like to thank all those organisations and individuals who are helping with this years walk - they include Barleylands Farm, Toomey Motors, The Royal Society of St. George, Billericay Town Crier Jim Shrubb, EDF Energy, The Rotary Club of Billericay for overseeing the Treasury role, the local police, Basildon District Council, and not least my own committee and team.

So come and join us and have some fun in raising money for local causes.