Fair Trade in Football Campaign Scoops Annual Fairtrade Award

 

The Fair Trade in Football Campaign, recognised for their contribution to the Fairtrade movement, has received the runner-up Most Creative Fairtrade Breakfast Award in the annual Fairtrade Campaign Awards, judged by the Fairtrade Foundation.

 

The Fair Trade In Football Campaign and partners are recognised for their commitment to raising awareness about the principles and values of Fairtrade in their local community during Fairtrade Fortnight 2016.

 

The Most Creative Fairtrade Breakfast Award is given to a group that has created an integrated, well-planned and innovative campaign that reaches lots of people in a new and exciting way, encouraging them to remember and choose Fairtrade.

 

Sharron Hardwick, Fair Trade In Football Campaign founder, met with Stoke City Operations and Kicks Manager Ben Gibson, Street Games Manager Sarah Minshall, Engage Communities Founder Yaser Mir, City Learning Trust’s Alan Christian, Fair Trade Action Stoke On Trent and BAFTS registered Trade Aid retailer Ann Worthington, and Staffordshire University’s Aaron Dunn, to organise a community Fairtrade football tournament, with Fairtrade breakfast at Staffordshire University.

 

Engage, Street Games and SCFC Kicks/Community Trust worked with Sharron, designing custom Fairtrade stitched footballs, via Bala Sport, for the tournament which was included in European City Of Sport’s programme.

 

Around 200 under 16 boys from Staffordshire, with Midlands Premier League Kicks Programmes, took part.

 

On arrival everyone enjoyed a Fairtrade orange juice and Geo Bar. Teams had photographs with Fairtrade footballs.  People peddled their own Fairtrade smoothies, thanks to Alan Christian organising the loan of Keele University’s smoothie bike. All Fairtrade items were funded by Councillor Wazir, arranged by Sarah Minshall.

 

On receiving the award Sharron Hardwick said:  “Thanks to all attending, and organising partners. Engaging and enjoyable Fairtrade football events like this are essential for both local and Sialkot communities. Most attending didn’t know Fairtrade footballs existed; we shared about the difference Fairtrade makes to stitchers; giving them a fair deal, with Fairtrade Premiums already providing a Sialkot community water purification system, free eye care, school equipment and transport to work. ”

 

Adam Gardner, Communities Campaigns Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: "The Fair Trade in Football Campaign and partners made an exceptional commitment to workers around the globe who continuously work hard to provide products we love. All too often these communities are not receiving a fair price for their work. Supporters of the the Fair Trade in Football Campaign have shown their dedication to this cause. It’s so important for communities to get involved and let their voice be heard.

 

“Thanks to the ongoing support of campaigners and businesses around the UK, Fairtrade today reaches millions of vulnerable farmers and workers in over 70 countries. We are constantly inspired and surprised by the overwhelming support the UK public shows Fairtrade. Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved in the Fairtrade football tournament for making an incredible contribution to the Fairtrade movement.”

 

Fairtrade has paved the way for sustainable trading by providing a safety net for world’s poorest farmers against volatile market prices, and the Fairtrade Premium to invest in vital community, business and environmental projects.

 

The UK has one of the most powerful networks of Fairtrade campaigners in the world, including over 600 Fairtrade Towns, 1350 Fairtrade Schools and 170 Fairtrade Universities, and 7,500 Fairtrade places of worship.

 

For more information visit www.fairtrade.org.uk and www.fairtradeinfootball.com

 

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About the Fairtrade Foundation

The Fairtrade Foundation is an independent certification body which licenses the use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products which meet international Fairtrade standards. This independent consumer label appears on products to show that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal from trade.

 

Today, more than 1.5 million people – farmers and workers – across more than 74 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system.

 

Over 5,000 products have been licensed to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark in the UK including coffee, tea, herbal teas, chocolate, cocoa, sugar, bananas, grapes, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, apples, pears, plums, grapefruit, lemons, oranges, satsumas, clementines, mandarins, lychees, dried fruit, juices, smoothies, biscuits, cakes & snacks, honey, jams & preserves, chutney, rice, quinoa, herbs & spices, seeds, nuts, wines, ales, rum, confectionery, muesli, cereal bars, ice-cream, flowers, sports balls, sugar body scrub and cotton products including clothing, homeware, cotton wool, olive oil, gold, silver and platinum.

 

Awareness of the FAIRTRADE Mark continues to be high in 2016, at a level of 78%.