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High profile celebrity supporters back campaign for Fairtrade in 2012

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High profile celebrity supporters back campaign to ‘take a step’ for Fairtrade in 2012

Sarah Brown, Harry Hill, Alistair McGowan, Alex Jones, Christine Bleakley, Lorraine Kelly, Dan Lobb, Sue Perkins, Jessica Hynes, Francesca ‘Cheska’ Hull, Kate Walsh, Natalie Pinkham, Di Dougherty, Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova, Louisa Lytton.

With individuals, groups and businesses up and down the country ‘stepping up’ the action for Fairtrade throughout 2012, a host of celebrities have committed to take their own steps in 2012 to help the world’s poorest farmers get a fair deal for the products they grow.

Sarah Brown will be reaching for the Fairtrade tea each time she goes to the supermarket. She said:

‘If you care about the people behind the food that ends up on your plate, or what clothes you wear, then please reach out to the poorest farmers around the world by taking a step for Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight.

‘By taking a step you will contribute to the start of getting millions of farmers and producers around the world a fairer deal. I will be taking my step for them when I do my weekly shop and reach for the, tea, coffee, bananas and chocolate that all show the famous FAIRTRADE Mark.’

TV presenter Christine Bleakley (ITV Dancing On Ice) saw what a difference Fairtrade can actually make when she visited a coffee farm in Uganda. She said: ‘The question isn’t ‘why do you buy Fairtrade?’ but ‘why don’t you?’ Ever since visiting Oliva Kishero, who farms coffee on the remote slopes of Mount Elgon in Uganda to support her own children and several orphaned cousins, I have been buying Fairtrade because I’ve seen first-hand what a difference it can actually make. I shall make sure that all my friends and family are doing the same during 2012’.

Comedian Harry Hill (ITV TV Burp) has visited Fairtrade banana and cocoa farms in Ghana and the peanut farms where they grow ‘Harry’s Nuts!’ Fairtrade peanuts in Malawi. He saw how the extra money or premium which goes to the farmers from Fairtrade sales helps them to improve their lives – to educate their children, for example, and put proper roofs on their homes. He said: ‘I shall be eating more of my favourite snack Fairtrade Harry’s Nuts! salted peanuts – yum yum!

It’s great that by going NUTS for Fairtrade such big changes can be possible within just one African country.’

Impressionist Alistair McGowan and TV presenter Sue Perkins (BBC Great British Bake Off) have both been bitten by the baking bug and have vowed to cook up a storm with cakes made with Fairtrade ingredients. Alistair said: ‘This year, like many people, I’ve been introduced to the joys of baking. And, as an ethically-minded shopper, I try to include as many Fairtrade ingredients as possible in my new creations. There are many tasty Fairtrade products to bake with; from ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom to raisins, honey, dried fruits and vanilla. There’s even Fairtrade wine for the more adventurous!’ Sue Perkins said: ‘I’m no stranger to eating delicious cakes. I will be taking my step knowing they taste even better if they’ve been made from Fairtrade ingredients.’

Chocoholics Alex Jones (BBC One Show), Natalie Pinkham (BBC Five Live / Formula One) and Di Dougherty (Sky Sports) will be treating themselves with more Fairtrade chocolate. Alex Jones said: ‘During 2012, my step will be to enjoy my Fairtrade chocolate knowing that every bite will deliver a little bit of extra magic, supporting the farmers who grew the cocoa to invest in a brighter future.’

Early birds Lorraine Kelly and Dan Lobb will be joining actress Jessica Hynes and TV presenter Kate Walsh in making sure that their first steps of the day throughout the year will be to drink a Fairtrade cup of tea or coffee. Lorraine Kelly said ‘I cannot go without a cuppa first thing in the morning. So I will be making sure I drink Fairtrade tea and coffee this year. It’s an easy way to make a difference to the lives of farmers in developing countries.’ Dan Lobb said: ‘Buying a Fairtrade banana or cup of coffee is a tiny step on my part. But by switching to these products during Fairtrade Fortnight, it’s like a butterfly effect and ends up making a massive difference in the fight against global poverty.’

Strictly’s Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova will be starting their days with a glass of Fairtrade orange juice. They said: ‘A Fairtrade breakfast is our first step of the day. We always try to have a refreshing glass of Fairtrade fruit juice because we know this guarantees that the orange farmer has received a fair deal.’

Committed shopaholic and fashionista Made In Chelsea’s Cheska Hull is vowing to add more Fairtrade cotton to her wardrobe. She said: “Ethical fashion doesn’t have to mean boring. Even the most fierce fashionista can find something gorgeous to wear made out of Fairtrade cotton.”

Ex-Eastender’s actress Louisa Lytton will be hoping to receive more Fairtrade flowers on special occasions in 2012. She said: ‘A step for Fairtrade is an easy way to make a difference to the lives of farmers and workers in developing countries. So, next time you want to surprise a loved one, why not give Fairtrade flowers?’

Through the ‘Take A Step for Fairtrade’ campaign, the Fairtrade Foundation wants to see more individuals and businesses buying and selling Fairtrade products in the UK. The public are being asked to think about what they can do every day, every week or every month throughout 2012 and take a step to make a difference to the lives of farmers in the developing world who produce the products they buy.

With a wide range of products, from supermarket own label to top brands – great products offering good value and decent values too – a step for Fairtrade can be as simple as trying a new Fairtrade product like buying a Fairtrade coffee on the way to work, or making sure the weekly shopping basket contains one or two more Fairtrade products like Fairtrade tea or bananas, or encouraging their friends and family to switch to Fairtrade.

With Fairtrade every step counts.In Malawi, for example, sugar farmers earn a fair price for the sugar they sell on Fairtrade terms. As a result, farmers in Chinangwa village have been able to bring clean water and electricity to their homes, afford roofs for their houses and school fees for their children.

The more people that support Fairtrade, the more farmers and workers will be able to improve their lives through the better terms of trade it offers. The Fairtrade Foundation encourages everyone to start their journey at www.fairtrade.org.uk/step

Jemima Khan and Alistair McGowan lead the UK's first ever voicemail protest against Legal Aid cuts

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‘Sound Off For Justice’ Launches First-Ever Voicemail Protest

Campaign against Legal Aid cuts offers British public the chance to ‘sound off’ to Ken Clarke’s voicemail, as voiced by impressionist Alistair McGowan
©Sound Off For Justice
Alistair McGowan has recorded an impression of Ken Clarke for Sound Off For Justice’s voicemail protest

Sound Off For Justice will launch the UK’s first-ever voicemail protest on Thursday 31st March. Members of the public will be able to voice their discontent with the Government’s proposed cuts to Legal Aid by leaving a rant on Ken Clarke’s voicemail, voiced by impressionist Alistair McGowan.

All messages left will be sent to the caller’s local MP and Ken Clarke himself, so that he can hear the public’s disdain first-hand. If the Secretary of State for Justice’s plans go ahead, many of Britain’s most vulnerable citizens will effectively be silenced in court.

Sound Off For Justice is focused on getting the public to put pressure on the Government to reconsider proposed cuts to Legal Aid, which are ill-conceived and unfair. As it stands, several key areas, including clinical negligence and family issues, are due to be totally culled, meaning there will be no support – regardless of the strength or worthiness of the case. This could affect whole segments of society, from the divorcing father who might lose all access to his kids to the elderly lady who won’t be able to do anything about her botched leg operation. The campaign is proposing alternative reforms that, whilst making the required savings, will protect Legal Aid funding for millions of Britons.

The public can leave a voicemail message for Ken Clarke by visiting the campaign’s website at www.soundoffforjustice.org and entering their full name, postcode and contact number. Ken Clarke, voiced by McGowan will then call back and ask the caller to leave a ‘sound off’ voicemail message detailing why they are upset by the proposed cuts. Brits can also text ‘soundoff’ to 60777* to show their support and be prompted to leave a voicemail. All the public need to do is rant for up to 30 seconds and press the hash (#) key to finish their message. Once completed, messages will be streamed live via the Sound Off For Justice website.

Jemima Khan, Joanna Lumley, Shadow Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan MP, Harriet Harman MP, Tracey Ullman, The Gurkhas, Thomasina Miers, Alistair McGowan, Jenny Éclair and Michael Mansfield QC back Sound Off For Justice. Many of which can be heard saying their piece on the campaign website.

“How can people be empowered to enforce their rights if they don’t have access to the courts for employment, housing benefit and so on. There’ll be no service once these cuts come in. People should join Sound Off For Justice’s campaign for alternative reforms, that will mean savings can be made but without jeopardising access to justice.”

Michael Mansfield QC, Legal Aid Barrister of 42 years

Sound Off For Justice is asking members of the public, organisations that will be affected, and politicians opposed to the Legal Aid cuts in their current guise, to ‘sound off’ if they believe in the right to be heard.

Visit www.soundoffforjustice.org for more information.
*Texts will be charged at a standard message rate

Sound Off For Justice is a public campaign promoting alternative reforms to Legal Aid. Visit www.soundoffforjustice.co.uk for more details.

Fearne Cotton, Alistair McGowan and Harry Hill go Mad for the Fairtrade Facebook Challenge …

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Fearne Cotton, Alistair McGowan and Harry Hill go Mad for the Fairtrade Facebook Fearne Cotton, TV Burp star Harry Hill, Zoe Ball and DJ husband Norman Cook, ex-model and presenter Lisa Butcher, Fast Show star Mark Williams and more are all going Fairtrade Mad on the Fairtrade Fortnight Facebook Challenge at http://www.facebook.com/FairtradeFoundation .

Each day, the celebs are inviting people to take part in a different, fun challenge such as creating a wacky Fairtrade Banana Smile, Outrageous Fairtrade Label Waving, painting a Fairtrade Chocolate Moustache, Random Acts of Fairtrade Kindness, Fairtrade Your Mum, create a Fairtrade fruit inspired hat, and the Fairtrade Ice Cream Pile Up.

Other celebrities have pledged to take part in the challenge, including singer Mica Paris, Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave, chef Sophie Grigson, How Clean is Your House presenter Aggie McKenzie, as well as Tory MP and DFID Minister Stephen O’Brien.

Alistair McGowan is launching the ‘Outrageous label waving’ challenge by replacing his tennis ball with a Fairtrade pineapple as he impersonates John McEnroe. ‘We are all thinking a lot about the sustainability of our world,’ says Alistair McGowan. ‘I believe that we have to start with the people who produce the foods and goods we put in our shopping baskets. When I buy Fairtrade I know the farmers and workers receive enough for their products so that they can put food on the table and enjoy a better standard of living’.

Each challenge comes with a fabulous prize for the funniest, most outrageous and creative contestant. Up for grabs are prizes like a Sainsbury’s supported trip to the Dominican Republic to visit Fairtrade certified banana farmers; a flower arranging lesson with top florist Simon Richards who designs all of Marks & Spencer’s floral arrangements; a cupcake making course with cake-maker extraordinaire Lilli Vanilli whose bespoke cakes are sold in Harrods; a week’s holiday in Sri Lanka which includes a visit to Fairtrade tea growers who sell their tea to Jacksons of Piccadilly; a Starbuck’s ‘sensory weekend’ with all sorts of delights; a Green & Black’s chocolate Masterclass; and a year’s supply of Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream.

The rules are simple. Log onto the Fairtrade Facebook site at http://www.facebook.com/FairtradeFoundationUpload a photograph of yourself taking part in one of the daily challenges and encourage your friends and family to vote on your entry. The entry with the most votes wins. The funniest and wackiest photograph is likely to win. For those who don’t win the grand prize, there are lots of great are Fairtrade-inspired consolation prizes.

Greening the Screen with BAFTA. {Social Diary}

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Where: BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, W1J 9LN
When: 18 October 2010

At an unseemly early time – 9am – I joined Alistair McGowan, Tim Bevan and a host of other filmmakers to discuss climate change. The film industry can be an incredibly wasteful place and time restraints make recycling hard. However, a number of companies are tackling this, Including Greenshoot. A company who managed to recycle 95% of the sets from Nanny McPhee 2.

The event was chaired by Alistair McGowan, who was on top form.

Other people who were there; Jonathon Porritt, founder director of Forum for the Future and former Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission; Paul Evans, CEO, Greenshoot; Andy Whittaker, CEO, Dogwoof; Fergus Rolfe, Low Carbon Innovation Centre; Tim Bevan, Working Title and Chair of the UK Film Council, but unfortunately Amanda Berry, Chief Executive, BAFTA; couldn’t make it due to illness.

Afterwards there was a educational free market where a list of companies gave free advice and help on reducing the carbon footprint of companies. AECom; BSI British Standards; Carbon Aware Productions; Cinema Exhibitors’ Association; Davis Langdon; Dogwoof Greenshoot; Julie’s Bicycle; Low Carbon Innovation Centre Magnificent Revolution; Nice and Serious; Red Redemption; South East Media Network; Wedlake Bell all made an appearance. I found the people form 10:10 particularly helpful.

Frost Magazine will be doing a series of article on the environment and how to reduce your carbon footprint soon.