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