Media Release

14th June 2005

Heather Mills McCartney Urges Newcastle to Go Veggie and Save a Menagerie!

The surest way to save animals is not to eat them! By going veggie, the average Brit can, in their lifetime, save a goose and a rabbit, 4 cattle, 18 pigs, 23 sheep, 39 turkeys, 28 ducks, 1,158 chickens and around 2,750 fish. Just one of the amazing facts from the Incredible Veggie Roadshow, which comes to Newcastle later this month.

Local lass, Heather Mills McCartney, has pledged her celebrity support for the show, saying ?Newcastle is one of Britain?s most vibrant cities ? and it can soon be one of its healthiest. Congratulations Viva! for bringing their fun, upbeat Incredible Veggie Roadshow to my home city. It?s the perfect introduction to the wonderful world of healthier, cruelty-free, environment-saving, people-protecting vegetarian living!?.

Also supported by a wealth of other celebrities, including much loved national favourites such as Paul McCartney, Joanna Lumley and Martin Shaw, this unique event is organised by the national campaign group, Viva! and contains, ?Everything you ever wanted to know about going, being or staying veggie ? or moving in that direction?.

Last year, 52 billion farmed animals were killed for meat across the globe, around a billion in the UK alone. Viva! claims that the vast majority of farm animals live for only a fraction of their natural lifespan and spend their short lives crowded into filthy, intensive units where they can satisfy almost none of their natural needs. And slaughter, which is how all animals end their days, is anything but humane, Viva! maintains.

?If you really want to save animals, the answer is amazingly simple?, says Juliet Gellatley, director of Viva!. ?Stop eating them! At whatever age you turn veggie, you can make a real difference. Come along to the Newcastle Incredible Veggie Roadshow and find out how easy it is to end the suffering of animals. It?s a fun day out for anyone who wants to find out more about improving their health, saving animals and protecting the environment. These are upbeat events with plenty of food tastings, stalls, advice on health and nutrition which will entertain, amuse, inform and assist - and it?s all free of charge!?

The Roadshow comes to Newcastle on Saturday 25 June 2005, at the St James United Reform Church, Northumberland Rd, from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free.

The Incredible Veggie Roadshow is organised by Viva!, and sponsored by Almonds & Raisins, Beanies Health Foods, Viva! and the Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation.

To find out more about the day, contact:

Angie Greenaway at Viva! on 0117 944 1000

For quotes from celebrities or interviews, contact:

Justin Kerswell, Tony Wardle or Juliet Gellatley at Viva! on 0117 944 1000

See images from our colourful photo call outside the Gateshead Millennium Bridge (Hi-res versions are downloadable from the page): http://www.viva.org.uk/roadshows/newcastle_photocall/

http://www.viva.org.uk/newcastle

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