Fun Walk Grand Reveal

The Rotary Club of Billericay has supported the Billericay Fun Walk for many years because it provides a vehicle for raising money for charities in the district through sponsorship of our walkers.

So it was no surprise that on Friday November 29, 2024 at 6 p.m, club members President-Elect Stephen King, Peter Greene and Margaret Fowler, were all at Canon Roche Hall to celebrate the “Grand Reveal” of the Bonus Pot.  A Total of £100,953.81 had been collected, and our Rotary Club of Billericay portion was a total of £2581. In addition to this was Gift Aid of £495 so the final Grand Total raised was £3076!

Didn’t we do well!

Back Again!

“Nibbles” and wine were served by Air Cadets, and there was ample opportunity for the guests and trustees to mingle.  Sylvia Kent, one of the Trustees, complimented Stephen and Peter on all the good work which Rotary did, and how club members supported so many local initiatives, and John Baron had the opportunity to meet up with his fellow Trustees again.  Eventually Town Crier Jim Shrubb rang his bell and called John Baron forward to address the assembled audience.

“I’m back again!” said John - although retired as our MP, he still retains chairmanship of the Fun Walk Trust along with other Trustees Christine Brewster, Sylvia Kent and Sandra Bastow.  He went on to say “It is such a pleasure to be here to celebrate yet another year of Fun Walk success, and I am pleased to tell you that over 80 organisations took part in the Fun Walk, raising over £100,000.”

Certified!

The main business of the evening, and the news for which everybody was waiting, was the size of the bonus, and John wasted no time in revealing this crucial information, namely, that thanks to the generous contributions by the Fun Walk sponsors, the Bonus this year was 30%, and this was being transferred to all the participant organisations bank accounts.

Then finally, it was time for the presentation of the Fundraising Certificates to every participant organisation.  Jim Shrubb initially called out each organisation’s name in alphabetical order for their representative(s) to come forward, and Sandra Bastow passed their award certificate to the Deputy Lord Lieutenant to present to them.  A handshake from John Baron, a certificate from the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, and finally a line up for a photo to record the event.  Then on to the next organisation.

Rotary Club of Billericay (starting with an “R”) was a long way down the list of organisations, and we had the pleasure of watching a number of our friends and organisations we support, step up to receive their certificates.  
Rev. Margaret Fowler was there on behalf of Christ Church, where she is associate priest, to collect her certificate for over £1,800; Stuart Gibbs was there on behalf of the Billericay Food Bank to collect its certificate for over £2,000; Hamelin House collected its certificate for over £1,000; and Baby Basics collected their certificate for just under £900. 

Eventually it was our turn, and President-Elect Stephen King collected our certificate for £2581 including a bonus of £596.  What a result!

Even More Successful

John had welcomed Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Professor Michael Almond who helped with the awards, along with Jim Shrubb our local Town Crier.  He thanked all of the Trustees who did so much to ensure the event went smoothly, and also Basildon Billericay & Wickford Council for Voluntary Service whose members work tirelessly to complete all administrative activities.

After a while, Jim’s voice unfortunately gave out (we wish him well for his duties on December 1 at the Christmas market), and John Baron took over the announcement role to call up the remaining representatives.  “This year’s event was even more successful than last year”, said John Baron, “and we are delighted so many charities and good causes will be able to use the proceeds of the Fun Walk to boost their fundraising efforts.  We could not hold this event without the generous support of local businesses who sponsor the Bonus Pot. They include Greater Anglia, Sanctuary Housing Association, Brown & Carroll, Butyl Products Group, Tunnelcraft, IFE Global Logistics, Mr Barrie Stone and other individuals. Our thanks go to them all.”

The 2024 Fun Walk raised a total of £100,953.41, including the 30% bonus provided by the Bonus Pot Sponsors. This means that from its inception, the Fun Walk has raised a grand total of over £1,635,000 for local charities and community groups.