"Why I am buying Unwrapped Gifts this Christmas" - Stephen Williams MP

9.37.00am GMT Mon 17th Dec 2007

Stephen Williams MP is supporting Oxfam's "Unwrapped" presents and "Health and Education for All" campaign this Christmas. The campaign is now in its seventh year and since its launch 1.2 million gifts have been purchased, with more than 420,000 bought last Christmas. These gifts reach some of the most impoverished communities in the world and help make difficult lives a bit easier.

The "unwrapped" gifts can be purchased from any Oxfam shop in Bristol and are an alternative to more traditional gifts that have the added advantage of helping someone else in the world at Christmas.

Stephen Williams is particularly keen to support education projects. He went along to his nearest Oxfam shop on Cotham Hill and, dressed as Father Christmas, sat behind a school desk to greet shoppers. He said, "At this time of year I always traipse around Park Street and Broadmead looking for presents for family and friends. This year some of them will be getting something a bit different that will help someone less fortunate. I usually buy all my staff a book and I still will, but they'll also get a card saying that I've bought some text books for children in Africa."

The Oxfam "Unwrapped" range includes a wide range of practical gifts that are donated direct to aid projects abroad. Examples include goats, seeds, water filters and condoms. The gifts can help boost education, train teachers and health workers and give people the practical items they need to grow food and live healthier lives.

The Oxfam shop on Cotham Hill is also running a Christmas appeal to build a new classroom at an African school.

Stephen Williams added, "Christmas is a time for remembering others, especially those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Oxfam's "unwrapped" range of gifts make a real difference to people all over the developing world. And the Cotham Hill shop appeal will give some children the chance of a better education, the key to leading a more fulfilled life."

Notes

Oxfam's "unwrapped" gifts can be bought at any Oxfam shop in Bristol, right up to Christmas Eve. There is a catalogue of options and these can also be viewed online at http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/Browse.aspx?catalog=Unwrapped&category=UWGifts

The Cotham Hill classroom appeal collection is at the Oxfam branch at 62 Cotham Hill, on the corner of Cotham Hill and Aberdeen Road.