Central Beds councillor takes on six-hour run for Autism Bedfordshire

Central Bedfordshire Councillor John Baker will run (or occasionally walk!) for six hours on Sunday (June 21) from Aspley Guise to Potton.

He is aiming to raise £1,500 for the charity of the year chosen by Chairman of Central Bedfordshire Council, Cllr Kevin Collins – and hopes that the community will rally to the cause.

Cllr Baker (Aspley and Woburn ward), said: "I think councillors have a real duty to support the chairman and the charity of his choice, and I thought it would be a fun way to do so. I am also keen to support children with special needs.

"Hopefully it will be a nice, fun challenge and I'm going to be joined by a number of councillors along the way."

Travelling with Cllr Baker for sections of the journey – and either running, walking or cycling – will be councillor Gareth Mackey in Flitwick, Mid Bedfordshire MP Blake Stephenson in Shillington, councillor Jodie Chillery in Arlesey, councillors Steve Watkins and Gareth Tranter in Biggleswade, and leader of CBC, councillor Adam Zerny – whom will run with Cllr Baker from the edge of Biggleswade to The Rising Sun, Potton.

Cllr Baker added: "I've chosen a distance long enough to make it a real challenge. I'm going to run through as many wards in Central Bedfordshire as I can – and I hope that if I run through a CBC councillors' ward then they will cough up and support the charity!"

In a bid to include as many areas as possible, Cllr Baker completed his training run in Leighton Buzzard last weekend.

He said: "There was a humorous complaint from a Leighton Buzzard councillor that their town wasn't on the route. So, last Saturday, I ran 24 miles from Aspley Guise to Leighton Buzzard and back, via Great Brickhill. It was a hot day and quite hard work.

"I was delighted that councillor Russ Goodchild greeted me with cake and hot chocolate at the Canal Street cafe, also taking the opportunity to lobby for town centre regeneration.

"I'm hoping that all Leighton Buzzard councillors will dig deep and support the cause."

Councillor Baker will begin his journey at 8am in Aspley Guise and pass through: Woburn, Steppingley, Flitwick, Greenfield, Flitton, Gravenhurst, Upper Gravenhurst, Shillington, Lower Stondon, Henlow Camp, Henlow, Arlesey, Langford, Biggleswade, Sutton, and Potton.

Posting on social media, councillor Chillery said: "Noting his [councillor Baker's] passing through Arlesey I've volunteered to accompany him on this section so I can point out every unfixed pothole, every broken streetlight and every dodgy speedhump en route for encouragement.

"Although John would like me to run this section with him, running is not quite my bag and given all the campaigning I've been doing on cycle path improvements it'll be more likely I'll cycle alongside him.

"So if you see a man running and me cycling give us a cheery wave and why not sponsor John?"

Autism Bedfordshire works closely with families to provide guidance, activities, and safe spaces where young people can build confidence and develop important life skills.

Click here to donate to councillor Baker's GoFundMe page and view a map of the route.