News from Berlin

News from Berlin – British politician Lord Michael Bates is currently into day 3 of his 1000 mile walk from London to Berlin in an effort to raise money for a charity that provides emergency medical care for child victims of war. He began his walk at 11pm on 4th August, the exact time that Britain entered the First World War. He was inspired by a trip to a children’s charity in Oberhausen, near Dusseldorf, named Friedensdorf International (in English, ‘Peace Village’) which cares for over 250 children from war torn countries all over the world.

    “The sight of children maimed through landmines and bombs in Afghanistan and other conflict zones receiving emergency medical care at Friedendorf brings home the human cost of all war, but strangely it is also a place of hope: hope that in the face of evil we are not powerless but powerful beyond measure and can make a difference and hope in seeing children from different faiths and countries playing happily together.

“The choice of raising funds for a German charity was intentional, as it underscores the truth that good and evil are not something which is defined by our history, nationality, ethnic or religious affiliation but rather it is about the choices we make each day; our ability to see others as being human first and our capacity to forgive.”

The journey is expected to take around two months, with Lord Bates expected to complete his journey and arrive at the British embassy in Berlin sometime at the beginning of October. The route chosen is not the most direct but passes notable sites of remembrance from the First World War, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Noyelles-sur-Mer, Somme in France and the CWGC Memorial Arras where Lord Bates’ great grandfather, Private George Hutton, who was killed on the Somme on 27 June, 1917 is commemorated.

News from Berlin – Berlin Global