14 May 2012

Employees of South Staffs Water have received royal recognition for their support of WaterAid's work to improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene in some of the world's poorest communities.

SSW, along with water companies from across the UK, was awarded WaterAid's highest honour, The President's Award, at the charity's Annual Supporters' Meeting. Water UK, which represents the UK water industry, was presented with a certificate personally signed by WaterAid's President, HRH The Prince of Wales.

Established with the support of UK water companies in 1981 with projects in Zambia and Sierra Leone, WaterAid now works in 26 countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific Region, improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Around the world 884 million people do not have safe water and 2.6 billion live without adequate sanitation, causing preventable diseases which kill 4,000 children every day.

Employees of SSW have this year celebrated three decades of raising funds for WaterAid as the international charity marked its 30th birthday. Staff were challenged with a ‘Thirsty 30' competition, teams were tasked with raising as much money as possible over a number of weeks – the only catch, they had to start their fundraising efforts with just 30p! Between them they managed to raise over £1,000.

The Company's events raise around £10,000 per year for WaterAid which could help over 660 people gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education in WaterAid's Country Programmes. The ongoing support of SSW staff and customers has helped WaterAid reach nearly 16 million people with safe water over the past 30 years and, since 2004, 11 million with sanitation.

Liz Swarbrick, Managing Director of SSW, said: "We're thrilled to receive this recognition from WaterAid and we are extremely proud of the fundraising achievements of our staff and customers over the past three decades." Dave Hillyard, Head of Major Partnerships at WaterAid added: "We'd like to thank everyone at South Staffs Water for their extraordinary support for WaterAid over the past 30 years, which has been invaluable in raising both awareness and vital funds for our work. Over this time period, the water companies, their staff and their customers have helped raise over £115million for WaterAid's work. It costs just £15 to transform someone's life with safe water, sanitation and hygiene, so every penny has helped us make a real difference in some of the world's poorest communities.

"Although a great deal has been achieved, there is much work to be done – 1.4 million children still die every year from preventable diseases like diarrhoea. With the help of supporters like South Staffs Water we will continue to work to change this wherever we can." Find out how you can support WaterAid's work at www.wateraid.org