Ballymena charity shops band together against hunger

The campaign brings together 170 charities, churches and unions to press world leaders at the G8, to be held in Northern Ireland in June, to act on hunger.

Bill Nighy has one. Lauren Laverne has one. Bill Gates does too. IF there is an accessory of the moment, then the IF campaign wristband is it, say the organisers.

Available for a suggested donation of £1, the wristbands come with a choice of four IF logo colours – orange, yellow, purple and blue. Wear one and you’ll show your solidarity with other IF supporters right across the UK.

This game-changing campaign is already uniting many thousands of supporters. All are determined to ensure our leaders take decisive – and life-saving – action to help end global hunger.

And now local people can show their support by getting and wearing a specially-produced campaign wristband. The white band, which can be customised with a choice of moveable coloured ‘IF’ tokens, is available locally in Oxfam’ shop in Church Street, Ballymena, and the Save the Children shop on Wellington Street. All money raised will go towards increasing awareness of hunger and policies to tackle it.

Lorraine Mahon, manager of the Oxfam Ballymena shop, said: “The world produces enough food for everyone. Yet one in eight people will go to bed hungry tonight and over two million children die from malnutrition each year. We want people in County Antrim to add their support to this campaign to tackle hunger and wearing an IF campaign wristband is a fantastic way to start.”

The wristbands will be available through Oxfam Ireland, Save the Children, Concern and Abaana shops, selected War on Want shops, and at Trocaire’s resource centre. Enquiries for bulk orders can be made to Oxfam on 028 9023 0220.