15th June: Fair play
Pakistan produces a phenomenal 70% of the world's footballs. The Sialkot region of N.E. Pakistan employs approx. 44,000 people as football stitchers producing a massive 35 million footballs per year.
Talon sports is the only fair trade supplier, although not all their footballs are sold to a fairtrade market. They receive 50% more for the fair trade foot balls they produce. They have been a certified fair trade producer since 2002. Not only do they receive a reasonable wage for their footballs but they also receive a social premium, which is 10% of the contract price. This is paid directly into Workers' Welfare Society, and goes to benefit the employees of the factory, by providing basic health insurance and micro credit loans.
Employees like 18-year-old Sameena Nyaz, who recently required a thyroid operation. This would usually be a huge worry due to the financial implications but because of the welfare society she received her operation for free. To order footballs and also rugby and volley balls pop along to www.fairdealtrading.co.uk
11th April: Fairtrade Easter eggs
As you think about the second most important aspect of Easter - chocolate - why not pick up some Fairtrade Easter eggs for your friends and family. Dubble and Divine eggs (including a brand new dark chocolate egg) are available in Co-op, Oxfam and some Tescos stores.
21st March: Marks & Spencer's range online
Marks and Spencer's Labour behind the Label range is now available to order online. It is currently limited to men and women's Fairtrade cotton t-shirts and socks, but if it proves popular we can expect an expansion. Visit www.marksandspencer.com to order yours.
20th March: Well Fashioned: Eco Style exhibition
A selection of cutting edge UK designers are presenting their ethically sound clothing and accessories at the Crafts Council in London. The exhibition will run from 23rd March until 4th June.
9th March: Fairtrade food news
Fairtrade Fortnight has seen a number of major retailers announce plans to switch to Fairtrade or expand their existing range. Highlights include: Virgin Trains switching all their tea coffee, hot chocolate and sugar; Sainsbury's switching 75% of their rose bouquets; Fairtrade nuts hitting UK supermarkets and Asda becoming the first to stock Fairtrade lychees. Click here for a full report from the Fairtrade Foundation.
7th March: Head to Oxford Circus Topshop
Topshop in Oxford Circus are currently trialing a selection of women's clothes from People Tree and stocking baby clothes from Gossypium and HUG. Whether you treat yourself, treat someone else or ask them to extend the range, please make every effort to get there this month, and encourage others to do likewise.
2nd March: Oasis to launch fair trade range
Definitely the most exciting news since this page was launched: Oasis have just announced that from April they will be stocking clothes made from organic cotton and under fair conditions, in 12 of their stores. Oasis were one of the targets of the original Lift the Label campaign postcard, and recently met with three of us from Tearfund to discuss their ethical policies.
28th February: Lent challenge
Lent starts tomorrow, why not take our Lent minimum wage challenge? Live on the minimum wage for Lent and begin to identify with those living in poverty in the UK. Not only that, as doing so will help you get your finances in order, enabling you to be more generous. If you are reading this after Lent has begun, do it for a month from now.
Take the Lent challenge here.
21st February: Nominate Tearfund's climate change work
OK so it's not really in keeping with the theme of this page, but take a couple of minutes to support Tearfund's work on climate change. The Co-operative Bank are giving out donations and you can nominate Tearfund here.
20th February: Topshop to stock ethical clothing
Topshop have recently announced that they will be stocking clothes made from Fairtrade cotton. The clothes will be supplied by ethical suppliers Hug, Gossypium and People Tree. Watch this space for details on when they'll hit the stores.
16th February: Dubble launch new website
Our friends at Dubble have launched their fantastic new website at www.dubble.co.uk, and to celebrate we've teamed up to offer a month's supply of free chocolate to the winner of our competition.
13th February: Fairtrade Fortnight action guide
Fairtrade Fortnight is taking place 6-19 March and there are plenty of ways to get involved. Download our Fairtrade Fortnight action guide for letter writing actions, info on setting up a stall, a bible study, recipes and more.
9th February: M&S launch Fairtrade cotton clothing
An exciting start to this new page - Marks and Spencers have recently announced that 40 of their stores will be stocking clothes made from Fairtrade cotton. The range 'Look behind the Label', will initially consist of men and women's T-shirts and socks, and will be launched in March.