Thanks for taking the time to visit the fundraising page for my attempt on the London Marathon on the 25th April, in support of Traidcraft.
26.2 miles seems like quite a long way for me (a very long way actually, as the training mounts up...), but it's only 4 or so hours of discomfort. For millions of people, a whole lifetime goes by of unnecessary suffering and poverty, many of them trapped by a system that does not offer fair reward for the work of producers in the developing world.Supporting me, and Traidcraft, on the 25th can help to bring about real change in this imbalance.
Thank you for your generosity.
Who are Traidcraft, and what do they do?
More than one billion people struggle to survive on less than $1 a day.
Traidcraft believes that one of the most sustainable ways to change this, and that poverty can be fought, and overcome through trade. It practices and promotes approaches to trade that help producers in developing countries transform their lives through achieving a fair and sustainable trade arrangement for the work that they do.
Many of you will be familiar with Traidcraft plc, the trading company who pioneer fair trade innovations and create routes to market for fair trade producers. Many of their products are now happily cupboard staples (Geobars in particular are firmly a part of my training fuel).
The work of Traidcraft Exchange is less well known. It is the UK's only development charity, and specialises in making trade work for poor people at the wrong end of the value chain. The exchange builds lasting relationships with producers in Africa and Asia, supporting people who want to use their skills and initiative to trade their way out of poverty. It also campaigns to bring about wider trade justice through fairer trade policies and business practices that help, rather than hurt poor producers worldwide.
Why Traidcraft?
I am running to support the great work that the Exchange do because I passionately believe that by enjoying the lifestyles and choice of goods that we do in the UK and elsewhere in the developed world, we have an obligation to give back where we can to those who enable that lifestyle, and to make sure that no-one in the supply chain is exploited.
Many of you will know that trade justice, and the work of Traidcraft in particular was a real passion of my late sister, Stephanie, and by doing my bit to raise awareness and hopefully, meaningful funds for their overseas development teams, I hope to continue that.
Learn more
Traidcraft have a very informative website - if you would like to learn more about the work that they do, please visit it at: www.traidcraft.co.uk
Justgiving
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe – JustGiving will never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, your money is sent directly to the charity and they make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.
So please dig deep and donate now, thank you.
