TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development) United Kingdom

TRAID is a charity committed to combating world poverty by recycling at home. The collection and sale of second hand clothing through its UK charity stores contributes to the protection of the environment in the UK and funds sustainable development in some of the worlds poorest countries. TRAID has a predominantly young, style and environmentally conscious customer base.

"Brixton's TRAID creams off the best retro and designer pieces and feels like walking into Chloe Sevigny's wardrobe" (Time Out, September 2002).

TRAID supports international projects that are participatory and sustainable in the long term, creative in their concepts and focused on the support of youth.

* TRAID funds a primary educational project in a rural district of Afghanistan, run by Care International.

* TRAID assists Azafady, a local organisation, in bringing clean water, basic sanitation and primary health care to rural areas of Madagascar.

* TRAID supports Vida Nueva, a local organisation, that hosts a project in Costa Rica to combat domestic violence.

Funds raised from *commonthreads go to to DEC Sudan appeal.

Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is an umbrella organisation which launches and co-ordinates the UK's National Appeal in response to major disasters overseas. The DEC enables the British public to support British aid agencies as they respond to overseas emergencies.

DEC need urgent funds to supply emergency aid such as food, water, medicines and shelter to the displaced victims of the conflict in Sudan.

What a donation could buy:

• £44 provides emergency food supplies for a family of five for two months
• £15 will buy one family plastic sheeting, a water container and purification tablets
• £84 will buy two household kits including a mosquito net, blanket, water container and kitchen utensils.

Purchase a ticket to Common Threads London to go in the draw to win two return flights to Switzerland.
Buy tickets online.