And I have walked 500 miles! Man completes trek to Glasgow for climate change summit

A man has walked 500 miles from London to Glasgow for the COP26 summit – calling on others to join the battle against climate change.

Stephen Marcus, a primary school supply teacher, began his arduous journey from Piccadilly Circus on 5 September, arriving in Glasgow on 30 October – covering a distance of 500 miles.

The 58-year-old from Shenley will now stay outside the summit for several days while putting on plays about the 500 mile walk, and demonstrating.

“From what I understand about Judaism, it’s our duty to do what we can to make the world a more just place,” he said.

“And I am happy to be part of that, I feel very much that obligation, partly as a human being, partly from my understanding of Judaism.

“It’s a wonderful time to be alive when so much is needed for us. I would encourage other Jewish people to experience the joy of climate activism.”

More than 100 people joined Stephen, a member of the Extinction Rebellion sub-group, Faith Bridge, as he made his way into Glasgow.

While many were day walkers, around 35 walkers had travelled the length and breadth of the country to join the ‘Camino to COP26’ walk.

Walkers spent nights sleeping in church halls and community centres – in one case arriving on a rainy day to a church near Manchester only to find there was no heating or hot water.

As they got closer to Scotland, they also experienced an additional difficulty after a member of the crew tested positive for Covid, Stephen said.

“It did get quite challenging,” he said. “But we had amazing encounters along the way with different people. It has been an amazing adventure and we’ve formed even closer bonds as we’ve gone.”