Press Release

29th January 2008

Wear the Tree Ribbon !

Trees are essential for the planet’s well-being but just like our own natural resources, trees in parts of Africa are under pressure.  Now Feed The Children is looking for retail partners to help its new ‘Saplings’ project, which educates children to protect this vital natural resource. Selling tree ribbons for just £1 each means the money raised will go towards new saplings being planted by children and education to reinforce their importance, ultimately benefiting us all.

“Some 80% of rural Africans depend on wood for fuel, but in some parts of Africa trees are becoming scarce due to nomadic habits and pressures of growth,” says Brian Main, chief executive of Feed The Children. “Our Saplings project not only educates children in these areas on the importance of trees for their future but gives them trees to look after and cultivate, underlining the message to the whole community.”

To fund the project the charity wants help in selling the new Saplings ribbon, which is green (for leaves) and brown (for roots), so people can visibly show their support.

“By wearing the ribbon, people are bound to ask what it is for and this gives the wearer the opportunity to explain the Saplings project and its importance leading to greater awareness and recruitment to the campaign,” adds Brian. “As trees are a global resource, it also helps the global environment and therefore is helpful for all of us.”

Typically, a child will be given two saplings – either a fruit tree or one with medicinal properties and another, fast growing tree for cutting for firewood. Fruit trees include mango and tangerine, whilst trees with medicinal use can be neem or jatropha. The children learn through songs and poems and take home a simple and powerful message: if you cut down a tree, plant two more!

The Feed The Children project provides saplings, tools, fertiliser and a visit from a training officer. The ultimate benefit of the tree can give triple benefits – fruit to supplement nutrition, wood for fuel and horticultural skills to build confidence.

For more information contact Feed The Children on 0118 932 0095 or visit www.feedthechildren.org.uk.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:  Issued on behalf of Feed the Children International UK (charity no. 1034916) by DSH Public Relations – 01252 408820, fax 01252 375027, email pr@dshpr.co.uk  DSH/FTC/   /2008