Richard Howitt MEP dropped into the Oxfam shop in Hatfield Road last week to mark the new Europe Year for Development launched in Strasbourg at the European Parliament.

The Labour MEP travelled back from the European Parliament and also took the opportunity to donate an unwanted gift from Christmas to help raise life-saving funds in 2015.

Oxfam shops raise more than £25m each year to fund their work fighting poverty around the world.

Richard Howitt MEP said: “I would encourage everyone to take their unwanted clothing, bags and accessories, books, CDs and DVDs, as well as jewellery, toys and soft furnishings to a local Oxfam shop.

“As long as the items are in good condition, the shop will be able to sell these items raising money to allow Oxfam to help people create a better future for their family and community.

“I know that 2014 was an incredibly busy year with Oxfam responding to a series of humanitarian emergencies.

“From disease, to conflict, to weather related crises – it is essential that they have the ability to keep responding, and that relies on the huge generosity of the people of Diss.

“The EU is the biggest donor of development assistance in the world and European Year for Development 2015 will ensure that we continue to step up our efforts to help with humanitarian crises across the globe.”