Since cycling to Edinburgh and back for the Make Poverty History rally in 2005, I've been involved in Leeds Tidal, a small global justice organisation which does a big job seeking to grow and support activism for a better world. Since 2012 I have been on the Tidal board.
On 24 June a group of us will walk 24 miles over the Three Yorkshire Peaks: Pen-y-Ghent (694m), Ingleborough (723m) and Whernside (736m), hoping to raise a few bob for Tidal. The overall goal is £2000, which will help employ the coordinator and support volunteers to do global justice action in Leeds. If you can spare few quid that would be amazing! Some friends might remember that I signed up to do a 100-mile bike ride for Tidal a couple of years ago, but fell ill on the day before and couldn't do it. So I'm hoping to make up for that this time!
Tidal works to expose the links between international debt, trade injustice, poverty, climate change and depletion of the planet’s resources. Locally it supports, connects and inspires a large number of community groups and facilitates the sharing of skills, information and expertise. It has organised several Leeds Summats: activist 'festivals' bringing together hundreds of campaigners from across Leeds and beyond. It also runs training events and conferences, supports local community projects, and was the driving force behind setting up Leeds activist hub website Leeds for Change. Tidal has also been instrumental in getting the Council to act on climate change and fair trade, and has campaigned on fuel poverty, debt, tax justice, waste and much more.
Tidal operates on a shoestring budget and relies on donations and grants to continue its hard work. That's why your support would be really appreciated!
To find out more about Tidal's origins and projects, please visit: http://www.leedstidal.org
To explore what's going on in the Leeds activist community, visit: http://www.leedsforchange.org.uk
[Photo from Cuiwei Peak in China. My boots!]