Walking for Nature: Young Hikers Take Action for a Healthier Planet

New College Pontefract student George Wainwright and three friends on their hike from Wakefield to Filey in July 2024 to raise money for Andy's Man Club.

Across the world, the climate and ecological crises are intensifying. Forests are disappearing, oceans are choking with plastic, and countless species face extinction, all for the sake of short-term profit. In response, young people everywhere are stepping up to demand a more sustainable and unified future for our planet.

One inspiring example comes from a group of friends in Wakefield, England, who are turning their love of walking into meaningful action. Their grassroots initiative reflects the spirit of the Young World Federalists’ #SaveEarth campaign, which calls for global cooperation and stronger international institutions to protect our shared environment.

In 2023, 18-year-old George Wainwright, a student at New College Pontefract, joined by friends Elliott Everett, Adam Malcolm and Jacob Dougan, completed a 72-mile walk from Wakefield to the Yorkshire coast. Their goal was to raise funds for Andy’s Man Club, a charity focused on men’s mental health and suicide prevention. With support from local schools, cadet detachments and the wider community, they raised £1,101 and brought attention to an often overlooked issue.

Now the team is preparing for their next challenge: a 100-mile journey through the English countryside to raise £1,000 for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading environmental organisations. This walk is more than a fundraiser. It is a message of solidarity with the planet and a call to action for people everywhere.

The environmental crises we face are not limited by national borders. The destruction of ecosystems, the warming of the planet and the collapse of biodiversity are global problems that require global solutions. That is why the group is aligning their effort with the #SaveEarth campaign, which promotes world federalism as a path toward international cooperation, democratic global governance and binding environmental protection.

Each walker brings a unique perspective shaped by a deep respect for nature. George, who studies politics, sees environmental protection as a global moral imperative. Elliott, a wildlife enthusiast studying at Leeds City College, is passionate about protecting endangered species. Jacob, pursuing a career in animal care at Wakefield College, is committed to preserving the natural world for generations to come.

George explains what drives him:

“Walking has immense health benefits. Surprisingly, as many mental health benefits as physical ones. I couldn’t recommend more going on a stroll around your local greenery and just embracing the tranquillity of our planet’s diverse and absolutely beautiful environment. This, I assure you, will allow you to truly understand the role humanity and all its global citizens should play in protecting our nature and our fellow inhabitants of Earth at all costs.”

Their current fundraising page is live at JustGiving.com, where supporters can follow their journey, learn more about their motivations, and contribute from anywhere in the world.

As climate change continues to threaten the Earth’s future, their walk is a reminder that individual action matters — especially when it supports a collective global vision. The #SaveEarth campaign encourages people everywhere to support stronger international institutions and reject the false idea that any one nation can solve these problems alone.

These young hikers are not just walking for charity. They are walking for nature, for justice and for a future in which humanity works together to protect the planet we all call home.

They are walking with purpose. What will you do for the Earth?

🌱 Learn more at ywf.world/saveearth.