Virgin Trains promotes Fairtrade Fortnight at Birmingham International railway station

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Thursday, 06, Mar 2008 12:00

To highlight the importance of Fairtrade products to the developing world, Virgin Trains staff and representatives from Birmingham's Fairtrade Town campaign group will be at Birmingham International railway station between 08:00 and 18:00 on Thursday 6 March giving out free samples of Fairtrade tea and coffee to rail customers on the station concourse.

Virgin Trains has also been supporting Fairtrade Fortnight with a Combo Deal, which remains available on its trains until 7 March. Customers are able to buy any 12oz Fairtrade Coffee and a Fairtrade Divine milk chocolate bar for just £2.20.

Virgin Trains was the first train company in the UK to convert all its hot drinks to Fairtrade and now serves only products certified by the independent FAIRTRADE Mark.

The range of high quality products, supplied by producers in Colombia, Tanzania, Brazil, Paraguay, India and Sri Lanka, is available on Virgin Trains services. Fairtrade drinks are also available in Virgin Trains' First Class Lounges at Euston, Coventry, Birmingham New Street, Birmingham International, Runcorn, Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly stations.

Fairtrade products mean that disadvantaged farmers who grow the coffee, tea, cocoa and sugar are guaranteed a fair and stable price including a premium to invest in long term farm development or social projects in their local communities. That's what the FAIRTRADE Mark guarantees. So now enjoying a hot drink on Virgin Trains will bring a brighter future to many farmers, workers and their families in the developing world.

Kay Perry, Virgin Trains' Retail Business Manager said: "Fairtrade drinks have now been available on Virgin Trains services for over two years. We have always been conscious of our responsibilities to people throughout the world and the need to play our part in protecting the environment. The use of Fairtrade products by Virgin Trains is a logical and significant contribution to economic and social improvements."

Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation said: "Fairtrade is becoming more readily available for people and Fairtrade Fortnight is a fabulous opportunity for everyone to choose Fairtrade and join the celebrations. Last year 10,000 separate events were held, and we expect many more this year. By choosing Fairtrade when you are on a train journey or on the go, commuters are helping drive positive change for communities in the developing world. Research shows that 6 out of 10 people see Fairtrade as the most effective way of helping poor people in the developing world. But it's vital that we all choose Fairtrade whenever and wherever we can so that more farmers and workers can get a better deal."

Ends

For further information contact the Virgin Trains Press Desk on 0845 000 3333

For further information on Fairtrade visit www.fairtrade.org.uk or contact the Fairtrade Press Office on 0207 405 5942.

Media Information

All Virgin Trains Press Releases and general information can be found on the Virgin Trains media website at www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com All Virgin Trains Press Releases and general information can be found on the Virgin Trains media website at www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com

Virgin Trains is the brand name of Virgin Rail Group, which is owned 51 percent by Virgin Group and 49 percent by Stagecoach.

Virgin Trains has recently been listed as the Best Train Operator in a survey by the Institute of Customer Service; came joint top of the long-distance train operators for passenger satisfaction in the National Passenger Survey and has been voted Best Rail Company by Travel Weekly magazine.