Running a Fairtrade Stall

RUNNING a Fairtrade stall every week at church means Ed is making a difference in the developing world while helping develop a sense of community in his own parish.

The 16-year-old AS level student, who set up the stall about nine months ago at St Paul’s, Bledlow Ridge, near High Wycombe, said: ‘We had been thinking about doing this for some time. When I read about the Oxford Diocese becoming Fairtrade, that gave me the poke I needed to actually do it.

‘At first we trialled it to see what response we would get and it’s proved really popular. It brings the community of the church together. I’ve had conversations with people I wouldn’t have spoken to otherwise.

‘I think it’s just important to remember that not everyone is as lucky as we are and that’s the whole Fairtrade idea. I am helping people in the developing world who don’t have all of the benefits I’ve grown up with and learning business skills at the same time. We are hoping Fairtrade will grow through the village, and be available to everyone, not just churchgoers.’