Articles - Miscellaneous

1000 miles in 80 days

For most people a car journey of 1,000 miles would be a really major undertaking. Even a train journey of 1,000 miles is a sobering prospect. So if a group of people were to set out to walk 1,000 miles, you can bet it would be for a very important reason. Like saving 180 million lives.

That's what a group of 20 heroic marchers from across Britain and the developing nations are going to do in the next couple of months. And they're asking us for our help and support as they walk through the highways and footpaths of glorious Yorkshire.

Christian Aid's Cut the Carbon March is coming our way on the 11th and 12th of August on what will be the longest protest march in British history.

"Climate change is the most serious threat to the future of us all," says Paul Brannen, head of campaigns at Christian Aid. "But the shocking truth is that it's the poorest people in the developing world who are already suffering climate chaos. We have a moral duty to stop this now - and where better to start than at home."

The march is highlighting the fact that climate change is not something in the distant future: it's happening right now. And if it isn't tackled immediately an estimated 180 million people will die this century as a result.

The marathon march is part of a campaign to get the UK government to take urgent action to reduce carbon emissions drastically by at least five per cent year on year. The Government is also being urged to take the led in getting international agreement that will deliver a world-wide 90 per cent cut in emissions by the year 2050.

The march starts out in Northern Ireland on 14 July, passes through Edinburgh and Cardiff and ends 1000 miles later on 2 October at the London Stock Exchange.

The marchers will be in Leeds on the 11th and 12th August and there will be a big rally in the centre of Leeds on the afternoon of Saturday 11th. (Further details later)

If anyone is able to offer accommodation to some of the 20 marchers for the nights of 11th and 12th August, help with meals on the 12th or clothes washing, massage, foot baths over the weekend please contact Jean Livesey on 0113 293 7403 or the Christian Aid Office in Leeds on 2444 746 as soon as possible please.

Make sure these courageous marchers get a really warm Yorkshire welcome; be there to cheer them on their way and attend the rally. During the whole of the march, and in the weeks leading up to it, you are asked to remember the march in your prayers.

© St Edmund's Church, Roundhay