Generous employees, partners and customers of Northumbrian Water have helped to save the lives of some 17,500 people living in Madagascar.
Over the last year, the water company has raised £210,000 for its international charity partner WaterAid.
WaterAid works in 37 countries worldwide, transforming lives by providing clean water, safe toilets and hygiene education.
The money raised will go towards Northumbrian Water’s five-year goal of raising £1 million for WaterAid projects in Madagascar by 2020 where currently, 2,100 children die every year from diarrhoea caused by unsafe water and sanitation.
Northumbrian Water held a number of charity events throughout the year and vital funds were also donated by individuals and Northumbrian WaterAid partners, including ESH Group, Fastflow Pipeline Services, J N Bentley, Gowland and Dawson and Stonbury.
Customers also helped contribute to the total, raising £6,596 by responding to an appeal included in Northumbrian Water’s bills. Since the appeal in customer’s bills was first launched in 1993, more than £5 million has been raised.
Andrew Blakemore, Northumbrian WaterAid’s Chairman, said: “I’m so proud of the effort and enthusiasm that our people have put in over the last year to hold such great fundraising events and really help to do our bit in providing vital support to WaterAid.
“Together with the amazing support from our customers and WaterAid partners, we’ve been able to save the lives of over 17,000 people. I want to thank everyone for their generosity and I look forward to continuing to help some of the poorest people in the world together.”
If you want to make a donation, or book a table at the next fundraising event - this year’s Northumbrian Water’s Comic Book Ball, email wateraid@nwl.co.uk.