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Ready to walk: Simon Topping

Gloucester minister helping to Make Poverty History

A minister from Gloucester is taking part in a 400-mile trek to Edinburgh in support of the Make Poverty History campaign.

For several years the Make Poverty History campaign, which aims to achieve total debt cancellation for the world's poorest countries, has remained in the background. But now the campaign is in the spotlight once more.

Simon's route to Edinburgh

Click on the link on the right to listen to Simon Topping interviewed by Richard Atkins on BBC Radio Gloucestershire

The movers and shakers of world politics will meet in Scotland on July 5th 2005 at the G8 summit, and campaigners are urging a million people to descend on Edinburgh to campaign against world poverty.

One campaigner is Rev Dr Simon Topping, a methodist minister from Hucclecote in Gloucester. He's setting off from Birmingham on Saturday 18th June to walk more than 400 miles to Edinburgh. He told BBC Gloucestershire's Richard Atkins what the aim of the protest will be:

"We hope that it will be such a presence, such a noise if you like, from the public that the G8 leaders cannot ignore it. When they meet in the hotel at Gleneagles they will have to come up with some kind of deal that will satisfy these widespread demand for change in the way that poor countries experience trade, trade laws, the way they have to deal with the ongoing debt crisis and the way we administer aid to these countries. We want something that will really make a difference to these countries and we hope that a large number of people gathered will put sufficient pressure on these G8 leaders."

Simon is currently en route between Birmingham and Edinburgh. Click on the Photo Gallery links on the right of this page to see the latest pictures.

But will it really make any difference? It could be perceived as quite a naive endeavour. Is all the shouting and screaming going to make any difference to these eight blokes stuck in a hotel?

Simon (right) on the walk

"There have been mass meetings, mass gatherings, rallies over the years at the G8 summits and there has been movement by the G8 leaders particularly in the area of debt. Six years ago in Cologne when a large group of debt campaigners gathered the G8 did come up with a package debt cancellation amounting to a hundred billion dollars and that is still in the process of having its impact and effect on the ground. So it could be argued that they do make a difference, and in some ways it's perhaps one of the few ways in which we really can communicate directly with the politicians about what's important to us."

"We're walking because the United Nations tell us that 30,000 people a day are dying and these are preventable deaths. They are deaths caused by preventable poverty and disease. Something has to be done. If there were 30,000 people in this country dying - one person every three seconds - there would be more than a million people in the streets wanting something done about it. I believe that people living on the other side of the world are our brothers and sisters. We have a responsibility as a global family for their welfare. And we need to act in whatever way we can to end this appalling incidence of death and suffering."

UPDATE:

Simon is currently en route between Birmingham and Edinburgh. Click on the Photo Gallery links on the right of this page to see the latest pictures.

last updated: 04/04/2008 at 11:02
created: 24/06/2005

Have Your Say

Are you getting involved with the Make Poverty History campaign? Will you be travelling to Edinburgh for the G8 summit? Let us know...

Wendy
im reali intrested in all this comotion and id reali like to take part i like like walkin infact im a hiker :) im looking forward rasing money for this marvalios charity

meme
Make poverty history rocks!:)

ellyn irwin
i would like to see more pictures of children in need to see what i'm helping!!!!!!!! well thats my opion

jenna
the campaigne for make poverty history is excellent because everybody is chipping in with there donations and that's what people all around the world should do or keep doing. Keep up the good work everyone

frank tedly
when you say'make poverty history'it could meen anywhere,poverty is all over the world' even places like america the most powerful country in the world they have poverty there i think everybody know's you meen the poorest country like ethiopia and africa..etc' and i know it is for a very good cause but the slogan 'MAKE POVERTY HISTORY' just isnt good enough

jess ward-foster
live 8 is a great help and the g8 will help it become better in africa also we should get higher taxes

lynda
union of the spirit extends and surpasses the limitation of the physical self,though unfortunately i'm unable to be in edinburgh at this time physically,i'm with each and every one in spirit,my thoughts are with one and all ,for the highest most greatest good,my thoughts are with,for if only more could understand the power of thought,for thought can and will manifest change,may the love ,light and truth shine forth for all to see,all my love lyn.

kirstybrown
i no one thing u have done very well but u need more help i no if groge bush and tony blear if they put monye in to this then poverty would be history and basily if it was here kids out there they woul do some thing about it so why carnt they do some thing about now ??

Janet Dufton
Hi I was talking to Richard Adkins on his programme this morning about the Make Poverty History march organised in WInchcombe today and thought you might be interested in an update: Over 50 walked through Winchcombe carrying plackards and wearing large white MPH armbands. The people came from all parts of the town and surrounding villages and included some visitors staying at a local campsite on holiday! Ages ranged from 2 to 75. We were supported by other locals and visitors out doing their shopping and we handed out trade Justice Vote cards. The event culmimated at the Roman Catholic Church where we all formed a large figure 8 and encircled oursleves with a huge roll of tape with the words Make Poverty History. We were very pleased that we had made the effort to be part of this worldwide event and believe that it is a great demonstration of 'people power'! This campaign for the people by the people must make a difference! Thank you for your coverage. Janet Dufton

Renika
i am so pleased that we are trying to help but i dont know what i can do to help, it makes me feel bad. but i will keep trying

Adam Yosef, Birmingham
I have to congratulate Rev. Simon Topping, he really is a true role model for the Make Poverty History and Drop the Debt campaigns. In 1998, when the G8 was in Birmingham, Rev. Simon Topping played a vital role in the Jubilee 2000 movement and forming the human chain around the city. I haven't heard from Simon since he left Birmingham and I just fell on this page by chance when I typed 'Make Poverty History' in the BBC search. Simon helped me set up the inter-faith Salltey Gate Peace Group in the city. I'm so glad I've come across this and wish Rev. Simon Topping loads of Brummie luck, we all miss you back in Birmingham, we really do. I had no idea you were in the city on the 18th, wish I had seen this earlier. I have written up about what we're doing for the MPH campaign, so if you get a chance simon, visit the BBC Birmingham website. I am travelling to Edinburgh on July 2 so hopefully I might bump into you! Well d one SImon and well done BBC Gloucester! I'd give you my email Simon but I don't know if I'm allowed so respond if you read this : )

amy
i think make poverty history is good

jordana
i think all money raised from each country should be shared betweeen every country. this way no country is poorer or richer than another.

Jamie McHardy
I think that there should be a worldwide vote,where everyone votes yes or no to abolishing the debt.

Lucy
I think make poverty history is a great thingand i think that it will make povrty STOP.

hilary clapp
Well done, at least you are trying to do something. Are you related to Frank Topping- I have a bk of his on prayer. All the best with your walk.I will watch Live 8 on t v, as I did Live Aid, + support Oxfam + Tear Fund- always have since '72. 18.6.05

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Faith features

Gloucester minister helping to Make Poverty History

Click on the link on the right to listen to Simon Topping interviewed by Richard Atkins on BBC Radio Gloucestershire

Simon is currently en route between Birmingham and Edinburgh. Click on the Photo Gallery links on the right of this page to see the latest pictures.

UPDATE:

Simon is currently en route between Birmingham and Edinburgh. Click on the Photo Gallery links on the right of this page to see the latest pictures.

Have Your Say

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Local BBC Sites

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Faith features

Gloucester minister helping to Make Poverty History

Click on the link on the right to listen to Simon Topping interviewed by Richard Atkins on BBC Radio Gloucestershire

Simon is currently en route between Birmingham and Edinburgh. Click on the Photo Gallery links on the right of this page to see the latest pictures.

UPDATE:

Simon is currently en route between Birmingham and Edinburgh. Click on the Photo Gallery links on the right of this page to see the latest pictures.

Have Your Say

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