A CAMPAIGN to beat poverty has been supported with a candle-lit vigil in Huddersfield Parish Church.
And a church bell was rung once every three seconds to represent the interval at which someone dies through poverty.
The Trade Justice vigil was organised by Huddersfield Churches Together and Huddersfield Interfaith Council.
It echoed a larger vigil being held for Trade Justice on Friday in Whitehall, London.
Both vigils were part of the Make Poverty History campaign.
They aimed to highlight the need for a fairer trade system to benefit poor countries.
People lit candles and sat for two hours, reflecting on the situation of people living in poverty.
They were read accounts of daily life, written by poor people.
The Rev Catherine Ogle, vicar of Huddersfield, said: "It was very moving. It was also nice that it was interfaith and different communities in the town got involved."
The Make Poverty History campaign aims to get world leaders meeting at this July's G8 Summit - which involves many of the world's richest nations - to wipe out Third World debt, provide more and better aid and make trade fairer.
Around 300 charities, trade unions and faith groups are working together on the campaign, along with celebrities who are raising the profile of the cause through TV adverts and posters.
White wristbands are also being sold to raise money for the campaign and so that people can show support.
To get a white band or for more information, visit www. makepovertyhistory.org
