School pupils get on board with NorthLink Ferries for Fairtrade Fortnight

Wednesday 6th March 2019

More than 75 school pupils from across Orkney have celebrated Fairtrade Fortnight by attending an event with NorthLink Ferries on board passenger vessel MV Hamnavoe.

Whilst docked in Stromness, MV Hamnavoe hosted the first ‘Fairtrade Ferry to a Fairer Future’ event in Orkney with help from the Orkney Fairtrade Group and Aberdeen for a Fairer World team to highlight the impact and benefits of using Fairtrade products.

Once the children were on board they participated in various Fairtrade focused events and were given tours of the vessel, including the bridge, where the children were encouraged to point out the various Fairtrade items on board.

Pupils from one of the schools, Orphir Primary School, proudly presented to their peers on their current school project of ‘Farm to Fork’. Further presentations were then done by both Orkney Fairtrade Group and the Co-Op. We were also treated to a visit from the Orkney Islands Council convenor Harvey Johnston who recited an original poem of his which highlighted the benefits of Fairtrade to Orkney.

Seumas Campbell, Serco’s Customer Service Director for NorthLink Ferries, said: “NorthLink Ferries are a committed buyer of Fairtrade produce as well as a Fairtrade Flagship Employer, we are extremely proud of our close working relationship with the Aberdeen and Orkney Fairtrade bodies and hope to continue to develop this.”

Charlie Barrow from the Aberdeen for a Fairer World group, added: “This is the first Fairtrade event we’ve held in Orkney, after having several really successful events in Aberdeen, and it was a great opportunity for the kids to learn more about Fairtrade and how a large company like Serco NorthLink Ferries plays it part.”