A FORMER Paralympic skiier from south Warwickshire, who competed for Team GB in two Winter Games, joined Britain’s biggest climate relay.
Anna Turney, who lives in Long Itchington, passed the baton as part of Running Out of Time – a celebration and call to action on climate.
Runners, walkers, cyclists and other sportspeople began passing the baton over 366 stages from Ben Nevis on June 10, and will finish up by Big Ben on Tuesday July 11. On the way, the relay has been visiting schools, beauty spots and projects to tackle the climate crisis and preserve nature.
Anna, a promising snowboarder who was inspired to return to sport after an accident on the slopes left her paralysed from the waist down, said: “Being part of the Champions for Earth athletes’ movement gives me confidence that we can make a difference, we can change.
“I’m naturally quite optimistic. Climate change is scary, which is why we have to make a difference, but it is possible if we act now.”
Having young children, aged seven and two, and worrying for their future has also been a motivation.
Responding to the recent Climate Change Committee report, which showed the UK falling behind on the green transition, Anna said: “The government needs to implement Net Zero at the top level but we need to do that at our level as well.
“We need to look after flora and fauna, educate our children better. What I love about the relay is really celebrating what people are doing at local level.”
Running out of Time co-founder Dan Thompson added: “There’s a lot of negativity and fear around climate change. What we wanted to do was to change the narrative to celebrate and highlight the sterling work already being carried on around the UK.
“The relay uses the power of sport to literally connect the many incredible projects taking place with an unbroken chain of participants.”
