Councillor urges Salfordians to go veggie for November

SALFORD councillor Derek Antrobus is urging Salford residents to go vegetarian this November to raise money for Cancer Research.

Cllr Antrobus, who has represented the area for 35 years, says Salfordians should try a meat-free lifestyle in support of the Cancer Research Veg Pledge and believes the movement has particular significance in Salford.

“Salford was the birthplace for the Vegetarian movement, it only seems appropriate that Salford should be at the forefront of the Veg pledge Campaign,” said Cllr Antrobus, who has been vegetarian for over 50 years.

“The reason I became vegetarian initially was reading too much Bernard Shaw, a playwright who was an advocate for vegetarianism and he persuaded me it was wrong to eat dead things”.

The Cancer Research campaign is asking people to give up meat for the whole month of November to raise money for the charity in this new campaign.

The charity says reducing meat consumption can cut the risk of bowel cancer, save money and introduce people to new recipes.

Cllr Antrobus believes the UK needs to decrease its intake of meat products in order to use land currently given over to agriculture for different uses.

Derek continues to say: “I really do endorse the Veg Pledge and I hope there is as many Salfordians and as many other people as possible take the time to support this”.

According to a report by the Vegetarian Society over 2000 people are ditching the meat and opting for a vegetarian diet every week. Currently 5.7% of the population, that’s over three million people who identify as vegetarian.

Former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett joins Derek Antrobus in support of the Cancer Research campaign and she encourages all communities to get behind the pledge as it is only beneficial.

She says: “Communities getting together to drive local change is a great way forward, embracing the Veg Pledge will not only be of benefit to individuals but an opportunity to educate and encourage local food outlets to provide vegetarian and vegan options and to look at ways that fresh fruit and vegetables can be available to disadvantaged areas and households”.

The Cancer research North West spokesperson said: “The biggest benefit of going vegetarian for a month is helping Cancer Research UK to beat cancer with the money raised. But it can also be a fantastic motivation to be a bit healthier in the long run, which has lots more benefits.

“Eating lots of processed and red meat can increase the risk of bowel cancer, so it’s a good idea to try and cut down. Cutting down on meat means there’s more room on the plate for high-fibre foods like veg, whole grains and pulses like lentils and beans which are all high-fibre foods that reduce the risk of cancer”.

To find out more information on how to sign up and raise money for the Cancer Research Veg Pledge, you can visit the website.