Posted on: 1st May 2024

As Fairtrade’s logo marks its 30th year of use in the UK, Fairtrade Foundation has been celebrating all who have raised awareness for the cause, and in April, Bradford Cathedral was recognised as the Campaigner of the Month.

Some members of Bradford Cathedral’s Eco-Group and volunteers with ‘We are a Fairtrade Church’ award

Our Fairtrade story began in 2007 when we became a ‘Fairtrade Church,’ and we have been actively championing Fairtrade ever since. Throughout our 15 years of campaigning, and an award in 2009, we have strived, not only to raise awareness of Fairtrade but also to fundraise during our annual Fairtrade Breakfasts. 

At our seventh annual Fairtrade Breakfast, which took place on Sunday 10th March, we were able to raise £110 for Transform Trade - a charity that campaigns for fair wages and safe working conditions for tea growers and garment workers in low-income countries.

Sarah Brazier, Head of Campaigning and Engagement at the Fairtrade Foundation said: 

"Bradford Cathedral has achieved remarkable things in their community, and we are delighted to give them this award in recognition of their efforts. UK campaigners are a vital part of Fairtrade’s mission to ensure farmers and workers in low-income countries get the fair pay, better conditions and support they need to escape poverty, thrive into the future and tackle challenges such as the climate crisis. The power of collective action is incredible. If we all encourage our friends and family to choose Fairtrade products when they shop and ask our workplaces to support Fairtrade, it all adds up to make a big difference.”

Rev Canon Ned Lunn, Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts, says:

"We recognise that we as Bradford Cathedral are local yet global and we have relationships with our family across the world. We hear their struggles for fair wages, decent working conditions and sustainable protection against the dramatic changes they are experiencing in their climate. We are committed to intercultural mission, service and learning and it is because of that that we work so hard to ensure we not only hear the cries of sisters and brothers in other continents but to heed and respond to them.

We are grateful for the recognition from the Fairtrade Foundation on our campaigning work and pay tribute to all those who have worked with us on this important cause over the years.”

Our campaigning with Fairtrade is part of our wider mission to safeguard the integrity of creation and to become more environmentally sustainable. This has included being the first Cathedral in England to install solar panels back in 2012, our extensive tree-planting work across the district and our Eco events, such as Bee Creative, Eco Film Club and Climate Symposium. For more information on all our activities and programmes visit our website (http://www.bradfordcathedral.org). 

As a Fairtrade Cathedral, we look forward to continuing our efforts to raise awareness and support for both the Fairtrade Foundation and other causes which help those in need.