Why we need activists: lessons from a life well lived

Brenda Pollack

20 November 2012

You probably won't have heard of Paul Millmore - unless you live in Lewes, that is. Paul (pictured right) passed away earlier this year and his loss was mourned widely as he was an extremely vocal activist on a range of issues.

I knew Paul from his tireless work campaigning for the South Downs to be made a National Park. He helped set up the South Downs Campaign which co-ordinated groups pushing for the area to be better protected. He was an active member of Lewes Friends of the Earth - a local group of volunteers campaigning on green issues. He had a lifelong passion for the environment and was the author of the National Trail Guide for the South Downs Way walk.

Last week I saw the launch of a low-emissions bus (pictured below) named after Paul. A big crowd gathered to honour and celebrate his life and the bus ensures his name lives on. It was a change from the usual press photo calls I go to where we hold a banner and push a message about a campaign.

It made me think, though, that we need more people like Paul.

Friends of the Earth has ambitious plans for a sustainable future in the UK. But we can't do this alone. We rely on people like Paul - people like you - to help us, either by giving money or by voicing support for our campaigns.

Paul's funeral tributes urged everyone there to do something and not just sit back on the side-lines of life.

Please keep an eye out for our events and campaigns and join us in fighting for our environment. It doesn't have a voice - but you do.

Brenda Pollack, Regional Campaigner, South East