02 September 2010
Hunderds of walkers will step out across Morecambe Bay in a bid to raise several thousand pounds for two charities.
Queen's Guide Cedric Robinson MBE will lead the fund-raisers mostly work colleagues, family and friends from the north west of England water company United Utilities. Hosting the group is the CEO Philip Green on Saturday September 4. The eight-mile walk takes three hours across the sands from Arnside to Kents Bank, and all donations will be split between WaterAid and Hope through Action.
WaterAid aims to improve access to safe drinking water and hygiene in some of the world's poorest communities. Hope through Action, works with young people in South Africa to help them turn their lives around and break out of a cycle of poverty, ill health, crime and drug abuse, Mr Green is Patron of the charity. Earlier this year Lord Mawhinney opened their first soccer dome in the township of Mbekweni, near Cape Town.
Mr Green said, "Both charities do vital work to improve the lives of communities in some of the poorest countries in the world. We take tap water for granted in our modern world. Millions of women and children walk miles each day just to collect their water. So the short distance across the Bay will show participants what is a daily event of many in Africa and Asia."
Both charities are part of United Utilities Changing Lives Partners. Two years ago, Mr Green took his senior managers to Zambia to build latrines for a village community. Working with WaterAid, around 4700 villagers in the Monze district of Zambia gained access to clean water and over 1600 households had latrines fitted.
To salute the ramblers back at the end of their walk will be a festive barbecue with music and games for the kids to thank every one of taking part and donating to both charities.
To find out more details about both charities click on these links: http://hopethroughaction.com or http://www.wateraid.org/uk/