Foot soldier

Bates' new book is based on his walking journey in China in 2015.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"She goes ahead and plans the way, and stays behind and pays the bills," Bates says of Li. "For all the walks we do ... everything that we raise goes to the charity."

Their effort was recognized by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, head of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach and Queen Elizabeth II.

Through his words and deeds, Bates wants to encourage young people to go with their dreams and become the change they want to see in the world.

"People say that certain things are impossible", he told an audience of young people at a speech during his recent Beijing visit. "But if you really believe in something and you are doing it for the right motives, then you can achieve it."

He says he has had more success in advancing the Olympic truce through his walks than with his speeches, meetings or letters as a member of parliament.

"The great thing about walking is that I may not be able to do 1,000 miles every year, but I could do 10 or 100 miles."

Contact the writer at xingyi@chinadaily.com.cn