North Shields couple joins pilgrims in 800-mile climate walk to COP26

Chris and Clare Myers at welcome reception in St Cuthberts Church © Klimapilgerweg 2021

Clare and Chris Myers, both aged 64, from North Shields are calling for UK and world leaders to take decisive action at COP26 by walking over 100 miles to Glasgow.

The CAFOD volunteers from Seaton Delaval will be joining 30 German and Swedish campaigners from The Climate Pilgrims- an ecumenical group of churches and organisations to raise awareness of the international impact of climate change- by walking 15 miles per day for eight hours, along the Northumberland coastal path until Tuesday 19 October.

Connecting with The Climate Pilgrims through Catholic aid charity CAFOD, Clare shares why it was important for her to walk with the pilgrims: "A pilgrimage is about movement and progress and together we are sending the message to world leaders at COP26 that 'we must act now and work together to reduce global warming'. I see the enthusiasm in others who want to make a positive impact to our climate, and it encourages me to join in and do the same.

Walking from London to Paris in an ecumenical pilgrimage for climate justice back in 2015, Chris adds why the pilgrimage is an important moment in the run up to COP26: "COP26 is a really important time for the world to come together and say, 'we're serious about tackling climate change'. The pilgrimage is part of delivering that message and I'm keen to support and stand in solidarity with people who are committed to being part of the change."

"If we don't reduce emissions over the next 10 years and provide the climate finance needed for developing countries, it will simply be too late.

The Climate Pilgrims were welcomed by Father Chris Hughes and the local community at a climate justice reception in St Cuthberts Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday morning.

With the hopes of spreading climate justice awareness, the group will be continuing their journey along the Northumberland coastal path with CAFOD supporters Clare and Chris Myers.

They welcome the opportunity to engage with Church communities and schools as they journey through Northumberland to Glasgow - where they will be completing their pilgrimage on 2nd November at COP26.

For more information on The Climate Pilgrims click here: www.klimapilgern.de

The pilgrimage of 30 people left Zielona Gora in Poland on August 14 and walked across Germany and the Netherlands before catching the ferry from Amsterdam arriving in North Shields on the morning of 12 October.

The pilgrimage will then follow the Northumberland Coastal Path reaching Berwick on the evening of 18 October. From there they will continue up the coastal path into Scotland and onto Glasgow on Oct 29 via Dunbar and Edinburgh.