FROM a walk in a park, to a fundraiser on the verge of breaking the £1million mark, a fun walk created by a south Essex MP John Baron is preparing to return for the 15th time.

Back in 2002, Mr Baron, Tory MP for Basildon and Billericay, created a fun walk in a bid to bring together the community to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

It was decided the walk would honour the Queen’s landmark, and also as a way of raising cash for charities ranging from healthcare charities, schools, carnivals and clubs.

The inaugural walk saw £6,000 raised and split between six charities.

Fifteen years later, walkers will once again be flocking to Barleylands Farm to take part in the walk on Sunday, May 21.

It has since gone on to become a registered charity in its own right, and one of south Essex’s biggest fundraisers. In September, the Fun Walk confirmed it had raised £110,000 for nearly 100 projects - bringing the total raised to £844,000 since the walk’s first steps were taken.

Mr Baron says he is delighted with the backing he has received from fundraisers, and believes it will continue to grow and says the £1 million mark remains the group’s latest goal. He said: “I think an MP’s role is not reactionary, it should be proactive in trying to get out there and do some good.

“It just started as a way of bringing people together ahead of the walk, and for it to grow in the way it has done is absolutely tremendous.

“We want to break that £1million milestone at our next walk, as the main purpose of the walk, and we want to go from strength to strength.

“But at the same time, raising awareness for the causes is very important, too.

“For instance, we have supported the Alzheimer’s Society, Diabetes UK and St Luke’s Hospice, each of which our need help.”