It Ain’t Half Hot Mum!

(Shades of One of TV’s Greats As
We Risk Sunstroke To Aid Charity)

It’s that time again when the Billericay Fun Walk takes place allowing local charities to raise money for their good causes.  Last year, the Fun Walk was hit by Covid-19 and had to be held as a virtual event.  We did our walk around Little Burstead and raised over £2,400 in sponsorship.  In total, £103,000 was raised by all participants bringing the total raised to £1,272,000 since the first walk in 2002.

This year the Final figures are in - we raised £1936 plus an additional £484 in Gift Aid.  A total of £2420, with the £1936 eligible for the Fun Walk Bonus when it is distributed in December - we’ll report on the final figure then.

We had hoped for a return to the mass walks but it was not to be, and in the interests of safety, 2021 was again a “Virtual” walk.  

Our Club has done the walk for many years, providing walkers and marshals to help all those taking part keep to the route.  A “Virtual Event” - no problem.  Even the marshal could take part.

The Rules?  Walk either 2km (suitable for families, toddlers and the disabled) or 5km, and you could do so anywhere, at any time, during September.  

Anywhere?  No desire to return to Little Burstead so we looked for a route of at least 5km, and opted for around Stock village,

The Intrepid Team

Hands up, walking volunteers. First up again our fitness fanatic Roger Kettle (but then he does play a lot of golf and tennis while we oldies struggle to walk 100 yards!), accompanied by club members fellow golfers Brian Wellman and Michael Sinclair, and with Peter Greene and Christabel Strong.

So when to walk?   Any warm and dry day in September – opted for September 7 as the weather was forecast to be a balmy 25C.  That’s 77F to our older members. 

Like all best laid plans, come September 7, and the balmy warm weather was replaced by a very hot sunny day, up to 30C and not a cloud in the sky.  An endurance test beckoned!

On the day, our intrepid walkers assembled outside the Hoop in the centre of Stock.

We had pre-planned the route thanks to member Malcolm Acors and the group set off along Stock Road, then down Crondon Park Lane to the golf course, through woods and open ploughed fields (thank you farmer – foot paths are meant to be left unploughed!).  Then a turn into Swan Lane and up to Fristling Hall farm.  No problem really, except for a massive bull in the field as we passed through – very gingerly and very carefully!  Finally across Swan Lane again onto the golf course and back to Stock Village and the Hoop as the end of our route.

How far?  A few steps over 6kms!  Well done to all.

Always Be Careful

Two hours in the hot sun!  Time for refreshments. In to the Hoop, a table in the garden for drinks and a meal to replenish our reserves.  All seemed fine until one of our team, having completed the walk in the sun, and then having a seat in the full sun, was suddenly overcome and taken badly.  Loads of water, lemonade and ice compresses fixed the problem but it just goes to show, we all have to be so careful to keep hydrated and watch out for too much sun – even in the UK!!