PCS: Massive anti-cuts march starts with one man in Cardiff

PCS: Massive anti-cuts march starts with one man in Cardiff

PCS: Massive anti-cuts march starts with one man in Cardiff

For one member of the Public and Commercial Services union the March for the Alternative starts tomorrow (19 Mar) as he sets off from Cardiff for a 166-mile trek to London to join the demo on Saturday 26 March.

After setting off from the Welsh capital, Richard Evans’ epic journey will take him through Chepstow, Bath, Swindon, Newbury and Maidenhead.

The 46-year-old, who works in a call centre for HM Revenue and Customs, will be spreading the word en route about the damage the government’s spending cuts are doing to public services and local communities, and encouraging as many people as possible to join the march in London.

Richard said: “I’m really worried about what’s happening to our public services. You read about bus services being cut back, libraries closing, leisure centres shutting and public toilets being closed, but I don’t know how many people fully realise the link between the cuts they’re experiencing in their services and the government’s budget cuts.”

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “This is a truly inspirational feat of endurance, rooted in a proud history of working class people marching on London to demand justice, and Richard has my utmost admiration and respect.

“It serves a shameful indictment of this coalition government that less than a year in, its policies are leading to such heroic acts of opposition.

“I hope that people will not only show their support to Richard on the way, but that hundreds of thousands of us are there on 26 March to welcome him to London and to show this government that there is an alternative.”

Richard’s itinerary (subject to updates)

Day 1, Saturday 19 March – Depart from Cardiff heading towards Chepstow Day 2, Sunday 20 March

– Chepstow towards Bath Day 3, Monday 21 March – Bath towards Swindon Day 4, Tuesday 22 March – Swindon towards Newbury Day 5, Wednesday 23 March – Newbury towards Maidenhead Day 6, Thursday 24 March – Maidenhead to around 6/7 miles short of London Day 7, Friday 25 March – Start: 6/7 miles outside of London – marching in to London Day 8, Saturday 26 March – joining the Marching for the Alternative

Follow Richard’s progress on Twitter using #Walk2March.

ENDS

Notes

– For information and interview requests contact PCS national press officer Richard Simcox on 020 7801 2747 or 07833 978216

– The Public and Commercial Services union represents civil and public servants in central government. It has more than 300,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies, and in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK’s sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich

– Follow PCS on Twitter