News story

3rd February 2005

MP Launches Letter-Writing Competition for Thornbury School Children

Steve Webb with Bob Geldof campaigning to "drop the debt" last year

Northavon MP Steve Webb has joined forces with the Thornbury Jubilee, Justice and Debt Group to launch a letter-writing competition for children at schools in the Thornbury and Severnvale area. The competition has been launched to mark the worldwide "Make Poverty History" campaign which aims to use the UK's presidency of the European Union in 2005 as an opportunity to press for fairer world trade rules, more effective international aid and the cancellation of Third World debt. During 2005 the UK will host a meeting of the "G8" group of the world's richest nations and 2005 is also the 20th Anniversary of the Live Aid concert. The "Make poverty history" campaign brings together over 70 different bodies including major aid agencies as well as celebrities such as Bob Geldof and Bono to press for progress on international development.

Children at local schools will be invited to write a letter to the Prime Minister saying why 2005 would be a good time to "make poverty history", and suggesting practical steps that could be taken to help. The letters will be judged by the Thornbury Justice and Debt group and by Steve Webb MP. The winning entries will be published and all letters will then be sent on to the Prime Minister.

Commenting on the competition, Steve Webb MP said:

"I know that many young people care very much about the world that they live in and feel angry, as I do, that so many people around the world are living in such poor conditions. I hope that this letter-writing competition will encourage local schoolchildren to find out more about these issues and to think about how to express their views to the leaders of the country."

Helen Harrison from Thornbury Jubilee, Justice and Debt Group said:

"2005 is a key year for us to Make Poverty History, and this is a great way for the children of our community to get involved and show that they are concerned about people living in appalling conditions in countries around the world."

More information about the campaign can be found at: www.makepovertyhistory.org.