A former RE teacher, and a 76-year-old man, named Colin Brennan has pledged to cycle 600 miles to combat world poverty. he will be cycling from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne to London, and back. He plans to end his 600 mile cycle at the “Enough Food for Everyone IF” campaign that will occur on June 8 in Hyde Park. Colin has spent more than 60 years cycling, and does not currently own a car. He chooses to cycle everywhere instead; distance certainly has not been a factor in his decision. If he can cycle 600 miles, nearly any distance seems doable.
Colin also plans to put posters on his bike as well as to talk to people along the way in order to raise awareness for the IF campaign, and to raise awareness of global poverty. Media hype will certainly follow his daring feat and bolster his efforts. The IF campaign is a part of Christian Aid, which is a Christian organization that aims to free the world from poverty. They have given their full support to Colin’s long ride. Christian Aid works on a global scale in order to give freedom to all regardless of faith or nationality. Mostly, they provide assistance to areas with high need, and hope to tackle both poverty and the root causes of poverty. They have several campaigns including the IF campaign.
The “Enough Food for Everyone IF” campaign is a campaign that, put simply, tries to eradicate world hunger through raising awareness. There is enough food on this planet to feed everyone, and yet one in eight people on the planet still face the devastating effects of hunger on a daily basis. Indeed, this hunger is preventable, as long as four big “IF”s are met.
- If corporations in developing or poor countries stops dodging the taxes which they owe. The taxes that the companies would provide would be able to save millions from hunger.
- If countries invest in stopping hunger within their countries, and provide programs that will help the poor fed themselves (for instance, the UK has committed to spend .7% of its income on aid).
- If the world helps protect farmers’ rights by keeping them on their land, and to have farmers’ crops feed people, and not fuel cars.
- If governments and corporations are more transparent about their actions. Decisions made by governments and corporations can affect millions, but these decisions are not released publicly in many cases.
Christian Aid believes that if these four “IF”s are met, world hunger and poverty can be resolved. Evidently, Colin also agrees, and his bike ride will be in support of making these “IF”s a reality. In a comment, Colin said that he wants to create a change in the world, and that he wants the government to support the campaign against poverty.
Colin has been a Christian Aid supporter, and a Christian Aid district organiser, and activist for over 30 years, which includes overseeing activities in his own church, Westerhope Methodist, and several others. In addition, he has a weekly Christian Aid Week plant sale, which has raised over $1,500 this year alone. Clearly, Colin is dedicated to the eradication of world poverty, and perhaps if more individuals are inspired by his commitment, world poverty could be a thing of the past.
– Corina Balsamo
Sources: Christian Aid, Christian Aid: IF Campaign, Enough Food IF
Photo: Century Cycles