To mark the annoucement of the 500th Fairtrade town, 500 cyclists will pedal into Cardiff after travelling 500 miles to the city.
The capital, which became the first Fairtrade city in 2004, is hosting a celebration to mark the event this Monday. A ceremony will take place at 6.30pm at Wales Millennium Centre with Welsh towns Prestatyn, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Abercynon, and Llanelli hoping to gain the title.
The cyclists set off from the first Fairtrade town, Aberfeldy in Scotland, on Saturday passing other Fairtrade towns en route.
To celebrate the announcement and the arrival of the cyclists, Fair Trade Cardiff are throwing a Fairtrade Bike Ride Party from 5.30-8pm at WMC with a number of stalls run by local fair trade groups and cycle organisations.
Executive member for environment, Margaret Jones, said:
"I am delighted that Cardiff has been chosen as the location to announce who will be the 500th Fairtrade town.
"The city is a great example of how to promote Fairtrade. Since becoming the first Fairtrade capital city back in 2004 we have achieved a great deal and have encouraged many businesses and schools within the city to use Fairtrade products.
"To be the 500th Fairtrade town is a huge honour and I would like to wish all those in the running for the title good luck."
Bruce Crowther, founder of Fairtrade Towns and Fairtrade Towns Advisor, said:
"The 500th Fairtrade Town is a tremendous achievement that should be enjoyed and celebrated, especially by the grassroots campaigners that made it happen. But our campaign is a long journey, fuelled by better understanding and learning. We must therefore always stay focused on the wider picture of trade justice and global poverty, in the knowledge that the final destination will one day be reached."
