Tributes paid to climate campaigner Fi – ‘mother’ of Extinction Rebellion

AN environmentalist dubbed “the mother of Extinction Rebellion” has died after spending her retirement years fighting for a greener world.

Tributes have been paid to Fi Radford, pictured, who died last week at the age of 72 after a battle with cancer.

A mother of two, Fi moved to Bristol 10 years ago with her husband Andrew, keen to get involved with climate change activism, after initially retiring to France.

A statement from Extinction Rebellion said: “It was on her return to Bristol that there were first signs that Fi was not well.

“She was diagnosed shortly afterwards with terminal cancer.

“Her activity, up to her first signs of illness, epitomised her energy and commitment to climate and social justice.

“Fi’s life was an inspiration to so many. She will be remembered for her sparkly eyes, selflessness, for her sunny nature, her courage, her ability to make everyone she met feel special, her kindness and her sense of fun.

“Fi really loved her rebel friends. There were many she was unable to reach in the few weeks she had left.

“She touched so many lives but she definitely felt that her rebel friends were, in Quaker terms, ‘Holding her in the Light’ and surrounding her in love.”

Relentless in her campaigning,

Fi was a speaker at TEDxBristol last year discussing the importance of activism – highlighting “retirement is a time to rebel”. Green Party councillor for Clifton, Paula O’Rourke, said: “Her energy directly contributed to the election of local councillors and increased Green support in national campaigns.

“Fi was well known and well loved locally, as she was a familiar face behind many campaign stalls – not just for the Green Party but also for Greenpeace, FoE, Bristol for Europe and Grandparents for a Safe Earth.

“And she did not limit her campaigning to Bristol. Fi protested at

Preston New Road with the Nanas, the women in white, who managed to see off Cuadrilla!

“She also took part in all the London XR rebellions, where she was arrested for taking non-violent direct action to save the planet.”

Extinction Rebellion added: “Fi was among the first Extinction Rebellion Bristol rebels.

“She became ‘mother’ to the central meeting, held at Malcolm X Centre, inducting hundreds of us, and was one of XR’s Rebel Elders, a member of the Evergreens and the Act Your Age affinity groups.

“She was also often seen caping up with the Aged Agitators and played an active role in the Bristol Area Action Network (BAAN), a group fighting the expansion of Bristol Airport.”