

CLIMATE RELAY BATON VISITS SIXFIELDS
The Climate relay baton passed through Northamptonshire on 2,436 km ‘Running Out of Time’ journey from Ben Nevis to Big Ben
On Wednesday 19th June the Running Out of Time relay baton entered Northamptonshire – an important stop on its extraordinary 2,436km route from Ben Nevis, Scotland to Big Ben, London in the name of climate action.
The Relay is the country’s only sporting event for climate change and this year’s is the biggest yet. The route comprises of 210 stages and visits over 80 different climate and nature projects, sporting organisations and venues, as well as schools, events and iconic locations, combining the love of sport with a huge celebration of public campaigning and action for climate and nature.
The Relay is collaborating with a wide range of partners to raise awareness of and inspire action on climate and nature issues. The message in the relay baton emphasises that we are united in our call for politicians of all parties to cut emissions; restore nature; and help those most affected by climate change.
Fittingly the Relay ends at Parliament on 4 July – general election day.
On Wednesday, the baton reached Northampton, starting at the Northampton Academy before making its way to the Guildhall where Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT) ran a stage all the way to Sixfields. A mixture of staff and care experienced young people were running the relay to raise awareness of the work that NCT do in the local area as well as the impact that climate change will have on the next generation.
When NCT reached Sixfields Stadium, they handed over to the Northampton Town Community Trust where Damon Fox, the Environmental Sustainability Lead, ran the next three legs to the Royal Oak in Blisworth making its way towards Cosgrove Primary School just on the Buckinghamshire border.
During the handover at Sixfields, there was support from local school Millway Primary who produced support posters for Damon and the project itself that aims to make people aware of Climate Action. Along the route Damon passed more schools before completing the half marathon distance at his final destination in Cosgrove village.
Damon said: “It was an honour to be involved in this project personally as I was able to combine my passion for physical activity and environmental sustainability. It was great be a host for others but then also see so many people come out to support at the Stadium and along the route at our schools, it was all about raising awareness and I certainly think we did that.”
The final day of the relay will include Wembley Stadium, schools in Brent and Hackney, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the Line from the Orbit to Cody Dock, UEL Docks campus, the O2, Greenwich Observatory, Tower Bridge and the finale at Parliament Square in the evening where the ‘message in the baton’ will be delivered to Parliament. Participants and partner representatives will take part in a group photo at exactly 20.30 to symbolise the goal of cutting emissions and reaching net zero by 2030.