St Michael's Primary raises £382 for Fairtrade charity

Youngsters at St Michael's Primary held a Fairtrade coffee morning to support the charity which aims to help disadvantaged farmers in developing countries.

They threw themselves into the event, which raised hundreds of pounds.

Claire McEnaney, P7 teacher, said: "We hope that by holding the coffee morning for the wider school community of parents as well as pupils that we will help others in their understanding of the importance of buying Fairtrade products so farmers get a fair price for their produce.

"It was also a great opportunity for us to highlight some of the products you can buy that are Fairtrade too."

Prizes in the raffle included a Fairtrade goody hamper with all items kindly donated by Dubbs Road Co-op, a chocolate bar bouquet made by Mrs McEnaney and bags of chocolate donated by a pupil's family.

Mrs McEnaney said: "St Michael's already holds full Fairtrade school status and wish to continue this. The committee will continue to look for ways to promote Fairtrade as well as help others understand its importance."

Head teacher Colette Wallace says Fairtrade is part of the school curriculum, linking into children's rights, global goals and the Catholic Church's Laudato Si project 'looking after our common home' - planet earth.

She said: "The children really embraced it and our Fairtrade committee made up of P4-P7 pupils co-ordinated the event with Mrs McEnaney while the P7 pupils delivered a presentation on Fairtrade, on it was a team effort."

The final total raised was £382 and the school would like to thank everyone who contributed.