news story

20th December 2006

Local MP & Blue Peter Presenter Back Appeal

BBC Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon receiving a pair of shoes from Northavon MP Steve Webb

Northavon MP Steve Webb has this week joined forces with Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon to back this year's Blue Peter "Shoe Biz" appeal to raise money for UNICEF's work with orphaned children in Malawi. The appeal asks people to donate spare pairs of shoes which can be reconditioned and sold on to raise money for children who have lost parents to AIDS. Photograph [large file - available on request] shows Northavon MP Steve Webb handing over a spare pair of shoes to Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon in support of the appeal. Shoes can be handed in at branches of Clarks shoes who are participating in the appeal.

The target of the appeal is to collect at least half a million pairs of shoes, not only to raise money but also to raise awareness among British children and young people of the impact of AIDS on children in some of the world's poorest countries. In Malawi alone more than 600,000 children have lost one or both parents to the disease.

The Blue Peter "shoe biz" appeal also involves other fund-raising activities such as a "wear your wellies to school" event earlier this month. Each pair of shoes has a recycling value of around sixteen pence and a big response is needed to reach the appeal target.

Commenting, Steve Webb said:

"I remember Blue Peter appeals as a child and I am delighted that the tradition of involving children in raising money for good causes has carried on. The "shoe biz" appeal is an unusual idea and I hope that it will capture the imagination of people across our area who want to make a difference at this time of year".