Party leaders praise kids’ labours of love

East Renfrewshire MP Jim Murphy and Eastwood MSP Ken Macintosh visted schools across their constituency this week as part of their annual Fairtrade schools Competition.

This year, more than 1,400 pupils took part in a Design a Fairtrade Chocolate Bar competition.

Fairtrade fortnight is an annual event across the country which promotes the importance of giving farmers and other producers in the developing world a better deal through the purchase of fair trade goods.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The winning designs were Noah McManus from Our Lady of the Missions Primary; Jennifer Lynagh from St Thomas’ Primary and Ella Tedcastle from Busby Primary.

Alongside this year’s competition, Jim and Ken also welcomed the news that East Renfrewshire has successfully renewed its status as a Fairtrade Zone.

MP Jim Murphy said: “Over the past 20 years, Fairtrade has paved the way for fairer and more ethical trading but there is still a long way to go as trade isn’t working for the poorest farmers in the global south.

He added: “Yet again, I am delighted that school children here in East Renfrewshire continue to lead the way in raising awareness of Fairtrade.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Eastwood MSP Ken Macintosh added: “As this year’s competition entries showed, our young people understand the importance of treating everyone fairly, the shopper buying coffee, chocolate or bananas here as well as the farmer in the developing world growing these products.

“This competition also plays an important role in helping East Renfrewshire maintain its status as Fairtrade Zone so a double congratulations and thank you to all those who took part.”

Primary and nursery kids elsewhere have played their part, too.