London's futures and options industry joined forces with the foreign exchange community last Friday in the 2nd annual 35 mile plus Walk to Work on 4 routes to the City for 4 children's charities raising in the process almost £60k.

The Futures For Kids Walk to Work 2012 raised funds for four children's charities with a mix of local, regional and international coverage - Demelza House, Hope HIV, Everychild and Variety. The inaugural 2011 Walk consisted of a single route but this year the event was greatly expanded with walkers starting out on 4 routes from Tunbridge Wells, Guildford, Tring and Billericay.

Almost 100 Futures for Kids supporters joined the effort including executives from brokerage houses, banks, proprietary trading firms and software vendors. They were boosted by a very strong contingent of senior management from London-based derivatives and stock exchanges, trade associations and specialist publications. Exchanges represented included Turquoise, Deutsche Boerse, Eurex, NYSE Liffe, Nasdaq OMX, Hong Kong Mercantile Exchange and Singapore Exchange.

The team, some striding gracefully, others limping, arrived triumphantly at Paternoster Square after the long day's 'yomp' between 5 and 8 pm to celebrate their efforts with the beneficiary charities and support groups at a Finish Line party sponsored by Eurex, who also supported the checkpoints on the 4 routes, and to receive awards sponsored by ICAP-owned post-trade software company, Traiana.

A group of housewives from Surrey, known as the Haslemere Normans, triumphed in the team fund raising category having summoned up at last count well over £4k from their followers. Queen of fund raising in advance of the event was Profit and Loss magazine journalist, Alice Attwood, while Steve Barber of brokerage ADM raised most funds overall as an individual. The prize for most funds raised on the day was taken by Rob Brophy of futures prop shop OSTC, taking part in the Walk to Work for the second time, while the inaugural FFK County Cup for the route raising most money was proudly held aloft by the Kent Route Master Team at the Finish Line reception after a close tussle with Essex.

The Walk to Work should also do much to raise the profile of the caring side of the City. Total funds raised from the 2012 event so far are now approaching £60k and the rapidly growing numbers of participants would tend to imply that the event will become a mainstay of the City charity fund-raising calendar.

Needless to say participants are still accepting sponsorship funds. Those individuals and companies wishing to contribute can select their favourite futures and foreign exchange industry characters at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/ffkw2w2012