IN THE run up to International Credit Union Day on October 20, a month-long campaign has been launched to highlight the issues of debt in Wales.

Say No to Debt Row is focusing on the risk of high-interest loans and promoting Credit Unions as a viable alternative to other types of lending.

As an added boost for the campaign, Hollywood actor Michael Sheen has lent his support to the campaign as the patron of Credit Unions of Wales.

Talking about the campaign, CEO of Cardiff and Vale Credit Union Leanne Herberg said: “In the run up to the major shopping season of the year, when many families come under significant financial pressure, this campaign aims to highlight that there are alternatives to high-interest lenders.

“All too often we come across people spending hundreds or thousands of pounds more than they need to on credit, consigning themselves to a debt sentence that can be hard to escape.

“Credit Unions financial services mutual that are owned by our members, we are financially sympathetic and have no external shareholders. As not-for-profits we offer a different way of providing savings and loans, but have the same financial protection for savings deposits as banks and building societies.”

This is the second year that Credit Unions of Wales have run the Say No to Debt Row campaign. In 2015 the campaign achieved support from all major political parties. People can pledge their commitment to Say No to Debt Row by posting selfies with the hashtag #nodebtrow on social media.

To find out more about the campaign or how to take part visit creditunionsofwales.co.uk.