A FAMILY in Thornbury is using pedal power to raise hundreds of pounds for charity and put pressure on world leaders.


Dad Danny Bonnett, mum Jo and their daughters Zoe, 10, and Abbey, eight, have taken on the challenge of cycling from Thornbury to Reading, before the parents continue to cycle to Paris in time to join a climate march.


The family, members of Thornbury Baptist Church, is supporting charity Christian Aid’s climate justice campaign urging the government to leave fossil fuels in the past and is encouraging supporters to sign a petition which will be handed to the Secretary General of the UN conference.


Structural engineer Danny, 43, said: “Millions of people in the world’s poorest communities are already seeing their lives devastated by climate change. The UN climate talks in Paris are a key opportunity in moving the world towards a fairer, low-carbon future.


“We need an agreement that includes countries promising to stop burning coal, and to limit global warming to two degrees. 


“We also want to see the UK and other rich countries commit funds to help vulnerable countries adapt. We have to protect this planet and enable the world’s poorest to develop in a sustainable way.


“Christian Aid will use donations to lobby for a deal in Paris that is fair, and also to fund The Big Shift campaign, asking the UK to stop burning coal, stop subsidising fossil fuels, and to stop providing export credit to finance construction of fossil fuel plant.”


Zoe, a pupil at St Mary’s Primary School, said: “We are doing this because me and family care and respect the planet and we want the government to get a great deal. It means a lot to us. Cycling also makes me feel good and gets me to enjoy what the planet has to offer.”


Abbey added: “We want to raise awareness of climate change. Also it should be fun and I like staying in B&Bs. I like the challenge aspect too, and I can tell the boys that boys aren’t always better than girls.”


The family, which set off on October 22 and was due to arrive in Reading early this week, has already raised over £600 through their fundraising page.


Once in Reading, Zoe and Abbey will return home while their parents cycle on to Paris to take part in the climate march.


For more details or to sign the petition visit christianaid.org.uk/ActNow/climate-justice. 


You can sponsor the Bonnett family by visiting justgiving.com/danny-bonnett1.