Follow the trail to support Fairtrade (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Follow the trail to support Fairtrade

8:00am Tuesday 14th February 2012 in News

People across the district are being encouraged to Take a Step for Fairtrade by walking along a route linking all the local Fairtrade villages and towns.

The Fair Trade Way is a circular walking route linking Bradford, Bingley, Shipley, Baildon, Burley, Ilkley, Haworth, Denholme and Thornton.

It has been set up by Fairtrade groups who hope it will raise awareness of the difference you could make to the poorest farmers and workers in developing countries by swapping to Fairtrade products.

Karen Palframan, chairman of Fairtrade Bradford, said: “It’s part of a national campaign to get everyone to take what steps they can to make a small change which will support Fairtrade producers.

“Switching just one or two products to Fairtrade really does make a difference and will help to support the poorest farmers and guarantee them a fair price for their products.”

The walks are being organised to coincide with Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from February 27 to March 11. To promote the district’s Fair Trade Way, there will be nine guided walks.

The walks are: Bradford to Bingley on March 10; Bingley to Shipley on March 17; Shipley to Baildon on March 24; Baildon to Burley on March 31; Burley to Ilkley on April 14; Ilkley to Haworth on April 21; Haworth to Denholme on April 28; Denholme to Thornton on May 5; and Thornton to Bradford Centenary Square on May 12.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Naveeda Ikram, will launch the first walk. Thereafter, each Fairtrade group will be walking along their section of the Fair Trade Way and inviting people to join them. Coun Ikram will be joining the last leg of the walks in May.

The Take a Step theme means every step taken, such as swapping non-Fairtrade products for Fairtrade ones and encouraging others to do the same, could make a difference to the poorest farmers and workers in developing countries.

The Fairtrade Foundation hopes to register 1.5 million steps during Fairtrade Fortnight – one for every farmer and worker the Foundation expects to work with. For more information and to register your steps, visit fairtrade.org.uk/step.

For further information on the walks or to register your interest, visit bradford.gov.uk/fairtrade or e-mail karen.palframan@talktalk.net.