And I would walk 500 miles! Man treks to Scotland for climate change awareness

A teacher is walking 500 miles from London to Glasgow to raise awareness of climate change.

Stephen Marcus, a primary school supply teacher, began his arduous journey from Piccadilly Circus on 5 September, and hopes to arrive in Glasgow the day before the crunch UN COP26 summit on 31 October.

The 58-year-old, who lives in Shenley, is the only Jewish member of the Extinction Rebellion sub-group, XR Faith Bridge, making the full journey.

It’s been lovely to be able to tell people about the Jewish holidays and how they relate to what we’re doing,” he said.

“We say in Judaism, ‘We love the Lord our God with all our soul and might’, and therefore we also need to love God’s creation. And that means not ruining it for future generations.”

Around fifteen people are currently involved on the ‘Camino to COP’ walk, covering roughly ten miles a day from 9.30am to 4pm, while more have joined in as day walkers.

Nights have been spent in church halls and community centres, said Stephen. “A luxury is sleeping in a tent because grass is softer than the hard floor,” he said.

As of Wednesday, the group had managed to make it as far as Lichfield.

“We’re thinking we’re doing what we can, so at the end of my life I’m thinking, ‘At least I did what I could,’” he said.

“We’re trying to engage with communities on the way through and raise awareness of climate change and the importance of COP26.”

When the party reaches Glasgow, participants then hope to take part in an all-night vigil before the opening day of the conference – if they have the energy left to do so after the gruelling walk.

To follow the progress of the walk, or find out more details, visit caminotocop.com.