A CLIMATE activist who set off on an epic three-month challenge to walk the entire way around Wales in memory of her partner is approaching the home straight.
Addie May Swarbrick Schwarz began the mammoth 1,100-mile trek, in memory of her late partner, Michael Dunn, in Powys on May 6, on the Offa’s Dyke Path, traversing its entire 177 miles.
The 32-year-old completes her journey this week; the finish line will be at Penarth Pier, Cardiff, on Thursday, where she wants to celebrate with a swim.
Michael died earlier this year after a short battle with oesophageal cancer, aged just 39. Addie decided to embark on the mammoth challenge to raise money for climate activism, which is how the couple met.
Michael and Addie met through their association with Extinction Rebellion (XR), taking part in actions around Worcestershire, where they both lived, as well as national protests across the country.
“I only have one week of walking left and I don't want to finish,” said Addie.
“Walking in Wales has been incredible. The scenery, swimming and kindness of people have held my heart at this deeply sad time.
“Swimming with mountain views in North Wales was so special, it allowed some breaks from the grief.”
Michael died on January 24. It was just 10 weeks after he received his terminal diagnosis, despite a 10 to 18-month prognosis.
Addie has raised almost £5,000 so far from her walk. She hopes to top £10,000, which will be donated to XR, Just Stop Oil and the Climate Emergency Fund, supporting non-violent direct protests and actions; to put pressure on government and big businesses to act on the climate and biodiversity breakdown.
You can donate to Addie’s campaign at https://chuffed.org/project/climatewalk or Google ‘chuffed climate walk’.
The inspiration for her voyage may be heart-break but she loved the Powys section of it.
Speaking to the County Times in May, she said: “I just finished Offa's Dyke yesterday (Thursday, May 18), 177 miles.
“I have passed through Powys, including Knighton, which was the halfway point of Offa's Dyke, Kington, Buttington, Churchstoke, Hay-on-Wye and Llanymynech.
“I’ve camped overnight near each town and enjoyed the Welsh hospitality of churches providing tea and biscuits.
“Powys was great scenery, peaceful and so many cute lambs. I also ended up with biting ants in my pants one day which was painful.”
Michael, with talents in music technology, produced many tracks for XR’s performance art, and combined soundscapes and poetry for COP26 radio. He raised awareness in the local community about sewage pollution, flood risk and held the county council to account on the climate crisis.
“Michael was the kindest, most generous and thoughtful soul, who always went the extra mile to help people and the planet,” added Addie.
“He inspired and supported his friends and family and we all are missing him dearly. Since his passing friends have stepped up and joined XR in London at the Big One. He’s still helping to save the world even now.”
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Addie’s expedition has taken in some truly wonderful scenery around Wales, including Offa’s Dyke, the Wales coastal path and scaling Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). The latter was a favourite place of Michael’s, while the couple had previously cycled in the Gower, Pembrokeshire and holidayed in Monmouthshire.
“My favourite places have been Anglesey, Snowdonia, the Llyn Peninsula and Pembrokeshire,” said Addie.
“The weather has mainly been great, if a little too hot, but very mixed the last few weeks. And I struggled to find places to camp out of the wind on the Llyn Peninsula.
“The walking has been relatively easy, but I’ve battled with nasty heat, pollen and jellyfish rashes, an infected foot and equipment failures.
“I've been lucky to have been looked after, being hosted by climate activists along the way, and have appreciated the kindness of strangers making me coffee and offering snacks and ice cream.”
The United Nations and International Energy Agency (IEA) have called for an immediate end to new fossil fuel exploration and production, and an end to fossil fuel subsidies. Yet the UK is still licensing over 100 new oil and gas projects.
Recently, wildlife presenter Chris Packham has called on “every last person who cares” about the planet to join XR or Just Stop Oil.
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