Jo backs Blue Peter shoe appeal

3.30.44pm GMT Fri 15th Dec 2006

65% of the population of Malawi live on less than 60p per day

Jo Swinson donated a pair of her unwanted shoes to the Blue Peter Shoe Biz Appeal at an event in Westminster this week. Blue Peter's traditional appeal is collecting shoes to raise money to help thousands of very poor children in Malawi.

Jo said:

"Every week, around 2 million pairs of shoes are thrown away in the UK. The Blue Peter Shoe Biz appeal will turn these shoes into aid, contributing to UNICEF's work with children in Malawi facing the consequences of HIV and AIDS.

"With more than 600,000 children having lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS and 1 child in 5 likely to die before the age of 5, the situation in Malawi really is desperate. Blue Peter deserve great credit for highlighting the plight of Malawian children."

Children looking to participate in Shoe Biz can collect shoes for recycling in bespoke shoe-sacks and take them to a collection point at schools, Clarks shoe shops which display the appeal logo and BBC local TV& radio stations.

Related Link:

Blue Peter Shoe Biz appeal