The parish has, for a number of years, supported the Fair Trade movement by offering a range of products the purchase of which, provides funds for growers and craftsmen in developing countries.  There are a number of popular lines kept in stock, but there are many more available from the Traidcraft online shop – www.traidcraftshop.co.uk – or orders can be placed by email to the Cathedral office – office@northamptoncathedral.org.

Profits from the sale of goods are donated to charities which support activities in developing countries. Initially amounts were sent to a parish project in Eritrea, then up to March 2015 CAFOD www.cafod.org.uk. Since April 2015 our profits go to Mary’s Meals www.marysmeals.org.uk, a charity providing meals in schools to children in developing countries. The aim is to encourage children to attend school as well as to provide nourishment in places where there is a severe lack, thus overcoming the cycle of poverty and giving the opportunity for the children to become self-sufficient and successful in adult life. Read more here www.marysmeals.org.uk/get-involved/child-31. Over 1 million children are now fed daily, using produce from local suppliers – but Mary’s Meals would dearly like to provide for the other 54million undernourished children in the world! It costs Mary’s Meals just £12.20 to feed a child for a whole year!

From time to time Traidcraft initiates  special fund-raising projects such as the Fair Necessities appeal  early in 2015. Donations received by 3^rd April were matched by the UK government under the UK Aid Match scheme. The Cathedral was able to send £250 to Traidcraft, part of the £615,000 raised  across the UK, becoming  £1,230,000 in total. This will go to growers and craftsmen to help them buy raw materials and seed for their developing businesses.