"Fairtrade makes such a difference to the lives of people in the developing world. It can make the difference between eating and not eating.”

Barbara Judd, convenor for Fairtrade Bradford, stresses how vital the buying of fairly-traded goods is to large numbers of people struggling for survival in the Third World.

“We are trying to encourage organisations in Bradford to use Fairtrade products wherever they can,” she says, Fairtrade Bradford is co-ordinating a series of activities running throughout Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs until March 7.

“This year, we will be promoting tea,” adds Barbara. “The slogan is ‘Swap your cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa’.”

Events are being run as part of the national Fairtrade Foundation’s Big Swap campaign, which urges people to change their regular food, drink and clothing for Fairtrade products. Only ten per cent of the 165 million cups of tea drunk every day in the UK are Fairtrade.

This year, the Bradford group is being joined by the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David James, who is urging people to play their part.

“I hope everyone in the district and diocese will give Fairtrade tea a try during the next two weeks, and then keep buying it,” he says. “The profits go back to the people who grow and harvest the tea, for education, health and sometimes quite simply to survive.”

Bradford was formally declared a Fairtrade Zone in March 2006, although Fairtrade has existed here for more than 20 years. Towns and villages across the district have become Fairtrade zones in their own right. Bingley, Shipley, Ilkley, Baildon, Haworth, Otley and Burley-in-Wharfedale are among the communities that have successfully applied for Fairtrade status. Heaton St Barnabas was the first primary school in Bradford to be awarded Fairtrade status. To gain the award, in 2008, pupils and teachers set up a steering group and Fairtrade was included in lessons and promoted to the wider community.

“It has many benefits,” says teacher and Fairtrade co-ordinator Sandra Kellman. “The children are learning from it and spreading the word, both at school and at home.”

During Fairtrade Fortnight, the children are staging a play and will hold special stalls. Steering group members are enthusiastic about their role.

Saher Hussain says: “Fairtrade is important because we care about people and it guarantees a better life for people all over the world.” Adam Nazaw adds: “We can help the people who are less fortunate than us.” Arooj Aftab says: “We feel very proud of ourselves for helping poor farmers and making sure they get the fair amount of money for their work.”

Pupils at Beckfoot School in Bingley also have a Fairtrade steering group. Toni Cotton, history teacher and Fairtrade co-ordinator, says: “Fairtrade is embedded in the curriculum and it gives the pupils a wider understanding of how it benefits farmers in Third World countries.” Dawn Madden and her husband Raymond, of Saltaire, are also involved in the movement. The couple volunteer for Tearcraft, an organisation which helps to sell goods made by artisans from some of the world’s poorest countries. They also sell food for the Fairtrade organisation Traidcraft and visit local schools. They travelled to Peru, to see for themselves how Fairtrade benefits communities.

“People told us that they were able to send their children to school, whereas before they could not,” says Dawn. “They also had security of employment – beforehand, unscrupulous middlemen would take their products, and sometimes not pay them until they had sold, and sometimes not at all.”

Mollie and David Somerville, of Heaton, also work voluntarily as representatives for Fairtrade organisations and give talks. “It is vital to know that we are part of a larger movement. Many people in Bradford have links with the Third World, so it is very important.”

- Local Fairtrade Fortnight events include: Saturday, February 27, from 10am to 4pm: tea party on the corner of Bank Street and Tyrell Street, with free tea.

Tea dance at West Lane Baptist Church, Haworth, on Saturday from 4pm to 7pm. Tickets £2 plus a box of your usual teabags.

Saturday March 6, from 2pm to 4pm, Fairtrade tea party, Christchurch Coffee Centre, The Grove, Ilkley. Entry is free.

- For more details, search Fairtrade at bradford.gov.uk or visit fairtrade.org.uk.