Poetry has been hotly debated within the media recently, facing concerns that it is losing its mass appeal. In a bid to demonstrate how diverse and exciting poetry can be, and to show their support for Oxfam, the UK’s leading poets have teamed up to create a CD of their most enthralling work to date.

From May 2004 to end of April 2005, Oxfam raised over £15.6 million from book sales and sales are still growing at nearly ten per cent per year.

This project is the brainchild of Todd Swift, Oxfam’s Poet in Residence since 2004. He said:

“We have 69 poets involved, mainstream poets rubbing shoulders with performance poets, legendary older poets and young stars. Here you will find Andrew Motion’s moving Anne Frank Huis and Wendy Cope’s surprising meditation on 9/11, John Hegley’s St George’s Day and Carol Ann Duffy’s Prayer. The poets banded together and donated a living metaphor for Oxfam. That is, a work that proves poetry is not dying at all, but very much alive and helping to save lives.”

All funds raised from sales of the CDs will go towards Oxfam’s work to overcome poverty and suffering around the world. The CD is on sale at all 174 Oxfam bookshops around the country for £4.99.