CAMPAIGNERS for Fairtrade, in and around Melrose, are celebrating their successful bid to renew the Fairtrade Town status for another two years.

Since its formation in 2013, Melrose and District Fairtrade Group has promoted Fairtrade with local schools, nurseries, the BGH, scouts, Rotary, and local politicians.

Members have set up a Facebook page, featuring news, views and events, and through the annual Fairtrade Fortnight promotions, tabletop sales, and support from the local Co-op, Fairtrade has a well established and growing presence in the town.

“The group has demonstrated an amazing drive to take the Fairtrade message forward and ensure it becomes part of daily life in Melrose and District,” Stephen Hardy, from the Fairtrade Foundation in London, said in his letter, which accompanied the Fairtrade Town renewal certificate.

Dave Potts, a founding member of the group said: “This successful renewal of Fairtrade Town status for Melrose is testimony to the amount of hard work contributed by our small band of dedicated volunteers. We’ve been recognised for our efforts over the past two years, to promote awareness-raising activities that include all ages from pre-school tots to retired residents.

“The local community and visitors too, have responded well to the Fairtrade ethos, supporting events we’ve run and purchasing Fairtrade products in the town.”

In the run-up to the World Cup, the group also ran a competition that focused on Fairtrade footballs to highlight the inequalities of global trade. Jenni Young, Chair of the group, added: “We hope that our example will encourage other communities in the Borders to take up the challenge and contribute to raising awareness about Fairtrade and the benefits it brings to farmers and producers in developing countries.”

Next year, Fairtrade Fortnight runs from February 25 until March 10.

This time, the focus will be on world Cocoa production and trade as well as the importance of buying Fairtrade chocolate.