A new community-run shop will open in Bangladesh – thanks to a Kirkcudbright Fairtrade Group coffee morning.
The event in the parish church hall on Saturday raised £400 through donations and a raffle for Transform Trade.
The international charity works to set-up cooperative enterprises in the developing world, with Bangladesh among the partner countries.
Kirkcudbright Fairtrade group spokesperson Carol Ryall was delighted with the public response – and reckons growing awareness and support for Fairtrade could be linked to the public perception of current tragic events unfolding elsewhere.
She told the News: “We had a huge number of people through the doors – it was busy as soon as it opened, which was fantastic.
“The money raised will easily support a new shop in Bangladesh so we are really pleased.
“A lot more people seem to know about Fairtrade these days and why it is important to support it.
“Perhaps that’s because they are more aware of what’s going on in the world.
“Transform Trade does a lot of work in poorer countries and helps to develop community shops run by people from those communities, especially women.
“All our donations and raffle proceeds from the day will go to Transform Trade.”
Carol, from Borgue, added: “We sold a lot of Fairtrade goods and showed to people the range of Fairtrade produce available.
“Proceeds from sales were £320, which was great.
“We had more than 80 people in which was our busiest coffee morning so far.”
