Leanne Wood will join the Ramblers to support its mission to improve and ensure equal access to the outdoors for all, by putting walking at the heart of communities. 

Leanne brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to her new role. As a long-standing advocate for equality and social justice, she has been a prominent figure in Welsh politics, known and respected for her strong social values. She also loves the outdoors and during the first covid lockdown, she started walking on a regular basis in her local area. She set up a Facebook group to share ideas for routes, paths, and photographs of her walks around the Rhondda to encourage people to get out & connect with nature. 

In her voluntary position, Leanne will champion the importance of equality to the outdoors, advocating for accessible and inclusive opportunities for everyone to enjoy Wales’s breathtaking landscapes. Recognising that nature should be open to all, Leanne will join the organisation as they aim to break down barriers and create a more inclusive outdoor community. 

Leanne Wood, Ambassador of Ramblers Cymru said: "I am thrilled to join Ramblers Cymru as the new Ambassador and to continue the long tradition of the Ramblers in fighting for equality and social justice. 

“To me the outdoors is a place of solace, adventure, and inspiration. Being able to connect with our natural environment is so important for our health and wellbeing. Walking is also good for keeping us connected to our communities, for learning about local history and our cultural heritage and I believe that green spaces should be available and accessible to everyone.  

“Cymru is a beautiful country but more needs to be done to improve our paths and access and I am looking forward to working together with the Ramblers Cymru team and our partners to improve our path network, break down barriers, support and encourage people who don’t normally go out walking to give it a try and to help create more opportunities for more people to get out into the outdoors." 

Angela Charlton, Director of Ramblers Cymru, said: "We are honoured to have Leanne Wood join us as the Ambassador of Ramblers Cymru. From the very first meeting we had with her to discuss the role it was clear that her passion for the outdoors and values align perfectly with our mission, and we are confident that with her support, Ramblers Cymru will continue to make significant strides in ensuring better access to the outdoors for all. We are excited to work together to champion walking and access."