Over 200 people attended a reception in Keswick where Cumbria County Council became only the second county in England to be awarded Fairtrade County status.
BBC News Presenter George Alagiah handed over the award to Councillor John Collier, Chair of Cumbria County Council at the reception at Keswick School on Saturday, March 11th.
Fairtrade campaigners from all over Cumbria joined councillors and other invited guests to hear Mr Alagiah, who is Patron of the Fairtrade Foundation, praise the people of Cumbria and the County Council for responding so whole-heartedly to the message of Fairtrade. He said take-up in Cumbria has been impressive.
On receiving the award Councillor John Collier said: "I am very pleased to accept this award on behalf of the people of Cumbria - people who have been magnificent in their response to Fairtrade. Businesses - particularly within tourism and retail - community groups, schools, churches, families and individuals have all clubbed together to achieve this award. I sincerely hope that support for Fairtrade in Cumbria will continue to grow and grow... this is not the end, it's just the beginning."
Shailesh Patel of Agrocel, which sells newly certified Fairtrade cotton into the UK market, also spoke passionately of the importance of Fairtrade for poor farmers.
Dr. Adam Naylor, High Sheriff of Cumbria, warmly spoke of the way in which Cumbrians respond so generously to the needs of others - both locally and overseas.