CHILDREN across the district are receiving gifts as part of an initiative to encourage the next generation to think about Fairtrade.

Youngsters are being given Fairtrade footballs and chocolate to help raise awareness of the issue.

Behind the venture is Fairtrade Bradford.

The organisation works to boost the profile of Fairtrade products and ethics district-wide.

A spokesman said: “One of the key messages of buying Fairtrade is the assurance that child labour is banned in the making of the products – protecting children around the world from working in unsafe and unpaid positions.

“This is why we wanted to reach out to children in the district to help highlight this message – and to spread a little Fairtrade happiness!

“There are many ways to make the world a better place – and supporting the global Fairtrade system is one of them. It helps achieve the UN sustainable development goals, which include education for all children and ending hunger.”

The latest initiative has been staged in the wake of World Fair Trade Day.

Professor Shirley Congdon, vice-chancellor of Bradford University, is an advocate of Fairtrade in the district.

She said: “We believe World Fair Trade Day is an occasion to be celebrated. It helps raise awareness of the need for overseas workers to be paid fairly for the products they help make. And it helps promote environmental and economic sustainability and a more ethical approach to trade in general, which is important in addressing issues like climate change.”

Joanne Hyde, strategic director of corporate services at Bradford Council, said: “Supporting Fairtrade in any small way is something we can all do.

“I am really pleased that Fairtrade Bradford has decided to make this donation for children in our district.

“I think World Fair Trade Day helps to inspire more people to get involved with Fairtrade – I’m sure chocolate and football are a great place to start.

“Keeping Fairtrade in mind when shopping and making consumer decisions should be important for everyone. Being paid a fair wage and upholding workers’ rights should be par for the course in business and with bigger businesses backing Fairtrade, the hope is that smaller and independent distributors and retailers will follow.”

For more details, visit fairtrade.org.uk.