[UK] Britons answer Mandela poverty call

from The Guardian

Press Association

More than three-quarters of Britons in the past year have answered Nelson Mandela's call to act in some way to help end extreme poverty, according to a survey.

Almost one in five (18%) started donating more to charity, around the same number (19%) contacted politicians and almost half (46%) bought a "fairly traded" product, according to the poll.

Only one in four did nothing, the YouGov survey of 2,198 people for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (Cafod) said.

Last year, Mandela launched the Make Poverty History campaign in Trafalgar Square by urging today's Britons to become the "great generation".

Those questioned in the poll were asked what steps they had taken in the past 12 months to meet the appeal. Other options included attending rallies (1%), giving up a luxury (5%), signing up to an "ethical" service provider (6%) and going to a Live 8 concert (2%).

Results showed that women had lead the way in taking action with men more likely to have done nothing to help the campaign.

Only 36% of men bought fairly traded goods compared with 55% of women and 13% of men signed a postcard or petition compared with 24% of the opposite sex.

The survey also revealed that young people were "willing activists" with 23% of those aged 18 to 29 deciding to donate more to charity - a greater proportion than any other age group - and one in four (26%) signing a postcard or petition.

Head of campaigns Helen Wolfson said: "The poll shows that people genuinely care about doing their bit to end poverty.

"People throughout the UK are digging deep in their pockets to relieve suffering but are also spending time calling on world leaders to live up to their promises on debt relief, more and better aid and fairer trade rules. Cafod is urging G8 leaders to show leadership, live up to and surpass the efforts of their voters."