Tadley woman to face world leaders

Helen Markides has been selected to join a team of young people at the UN climate negotiations in South Africa

A TADLEY woman will face world leaders this winter after being selected to join a team of young people at the UN climate negotiations in South Africa.

Helen Markides will be helping to represent an organisation called the UK Youth Climate Coalition at the talks between world leaders from November 28 until December 9.

The 23-year-old former pupil of St Gabriel's School, Sandleford Priory, volunteers weekly in London, where she is studying for a Masters in Urban Development Planning at University College London, facilitating conservation projects with young people. She has also worked with Envision helping young people plan and organise projects within their community.

Miss Markides, who previously studied for a BA in Architecture at Newcastle University, said: “This is an awesome opportunity and I'm so happy to be involved. Young people need to make sure that negotiators and world leaders realise we care about these talks. The decisions made in South Africa will affect us as young people for decades to come.

“The United Nations climate talks are the best chance the world has to deal with this problem and the meeting in South Africa this November is a key opportunity to make progress.”

Miss Markides needs to raise £1,200 to go on the trip and is currently planning a number of fundraising events, she is also training to take part in the Run to the Beat half marathon in London in September.

“I'm currently fundraising to make sure that I can attend and be a voice for young people from towns and cities just like Tadley up and down the country,” she said. “The trip is entirely-self-funded and this month I will be helping run events at Under One Sky festival in London to raise funds and awareness.”

To find out more about the negotiations or to sponsor Helen click on the link below.