Walk for the planet with Ella – register your interest

On 13 to 18 August, Ella Burfitt, a second year sports science student from Cheltenham, will be leading a group of people in a pilgrimage across the Diocese of Gloucester to connect with the Young Christian Climate Network’s national pilgrimage.

Ella is a student at the University of Bath and is passionate about getting people more active. She’s also very aware of the importance of caring for God’s creation.

“I grew up going to church and saving God’s creation is important to me. A lot of people don’t seem that bothered about it in our churches. One church I went to recently used non-recylable cups for the refreshments after the service which prompted me to start bringing my own cup along.

“The message that the walk is conveying is really important.

“Little changes can make a big difference and everyone can play a part, but structural and political changes need to occur if we’re going to make a difference before it’s too late. The wider YCCN relay is walking from the June G7 summit in Cornwall to the COP26 summit in Glasgow this November, raising awareness and drawing attention to the lack of aid the Government currently provides to the climate crisis. It will also highlight how the poorest countries are being the worst affected by climate change, despite contributing very little to it. This injustice needs to be addressed.”

Our part of the walk will help raise awareness of the issues in our diocese and let local people connect with the issues in a tangible way.

“There will be prayers at the start of each day and churches will put on cake and closing worship at the end of each day, but if you don’t want to be part of that you don’t need to.”

The length of the route each day will be somewhere between 7-11 miles.

Ella said, “Next week I’ll be out walking the route and thinking about how lovely it is to be outside in the countryside in the clean, fresh air. We don’t want this to disappear! We’re hopeful for mild weather, but we don’t really know what will happen because climate change is having an effect.”

Walkers of all ages are welcome to join Ella, including family groups, individuals and groups from communities and churches. Make sure you’re wearing sturdy shoes and are able to walk the distance each day you join us.

She said, “Each day will be achievable – it won’t be like an army boot camp or anything! We’ll go as slow as the slowest person, but we do want to make sure that people enjoy it, so we’re asking that people consider whether they can cover the distance before they set out.”

• Friday 13 August: Viney Hill to Westbury on Severn
• Saturday 14 August: Westbury on Severn to Gloucester
• Sunday 15 August: Rest day
• Monday 16 August: Gloucester Cathedral to Cheltenham
• Tuesday 17 August: Trinity Cheltenham to Tewkesbury
• Wednesday 18 August: Tewkesbury Abbey to Upton on Severn

At this point the walk will be handed over to Worcester Diocese to continue towards Birmingham.

More details of the exact route will be available shortly. If you would like to register your interest in the walk to have information sent out via email, please enter your details below.

Register interest here —>