Yorkshire Water raises £175,800 for WaterAid

Yorkshire Water is celebrating after raising a massive £175,800 for international charity WaterAid over the last 12 months.

This is enough to transform the lives of 11,720 people through the charity’s tireless work to improve access to safe, clean water.

The Bradford-based company has raised enough cash to provide 1,369 toilets in Ethiopia through its lottery and payroll giving. And 121 members of staff took part in national challenge events including the Great North Run, Watercycle and 6peaks, 24 Peaks and WaterAid 200 walking events. These events have been enough to raise money for 22 handpumps.

Thirteen employees who are part of the WaterAid speaker network also gave 21 talks, reaching 1,624 people. This included 14 school talks for 1,292 pupils.

The cash raised from the company, WaterAid committee and employee fundraising could help 7,943 people around the world to get safe water and improved toilets.

Barbara Frost, chief executive of WaterAid said: “On behalf of everyone at WaterAid I would like to thank Yorkshire Water for helping us bring safe water and sanitation to some of the world’s poorest communities.

“Gaining access to water and sanitation really does transform lives; improving health, education and livelihoods and forming the first, essential step in overcoming poverty. The amazing support we receive from businesses and individuals is vital as we work towards a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water to drink and a safe place to go to the toilet.”

David McGlinchey, Vice Chair of Yorkshire Water’s WaterAid committee, said: “We’re very proud of our continuing support for WaterAid and being part of such a long-standing partnership that is making a huge difference to some of the world’s poorest people.

“We hope to raise even more money this year for WaterAid and have plenty of events planned over the next month with colleagues such as a 5-a-side football tournament, Watercycle Challenges and a 10K run at Ogden, Halifax. Not forgetting our biggest fund-raising event, our ball in October.

“Customers can also help by donating just £3 by texting SAFEWATER to 70300.”

Yorkshire Water is also supporting WaterAid to lobby world leaders who are meeting in New York in September to discuss a set of international development priorities for the next 15 years.