A TORY MP is celebrating after his annual fun walk hit an all-time fundraising high, helping him to hand £75,000 to charities.

Each year John Baron, Tory MP for Basildon and Billericay, organises a walk through Barleylands Farm in Barleylands Road, Billericay.

Supporters and charities take part and all the cash raised goes into a pot which is then divided up between local charities.

Last year the walk raised a whopping £50,000.

But this year’s event, in May, which also featured a barbecue and charity stalls, eclipsed that total, instead raising £75,000, which will now be shared between 88 charities.

The record-breaking figure was revealed by Mr Baron as he gave out the money to charities at a special meeting at the Rising Sun pubin Billericay High Street.

Giving out the cheques Mr Baron said: “The amount of £75,000 is a massive increase on last year, so well done everyone.

“Our thanks also go to Barleylands Farm and this year’s bonus pot sponsors who were Hallmark Care Homes, Veolia Environmental Serv- ices, Swan Housing, Toomey Motors, Bellway Homes, Stock Brook Country Club, Ford Motor Company, Selex Galileo, K E Kent Transport, A & B Cabs, and others.”

So far Mr Baron’s Fun Walk, which began in 2002, has raised more than £264,000 for local charities.

Each year the event features two walks, one through Crays Hill and the other around Barleylands Farm.