South Staffs Water together with Cambridge Water have unveiled that their current WaterAid fundraising total has reached over £62,000 so far in 2018. The timely announcement coincides with this year’s World Water Day (22 March), which annually raises awareness of water-related issues at both a local and global level. South Staffs’ and Cambridge’s fundraising efforts included a range of events and initiatives, including its prestigious, annual charity ball.

The companies have been supporting WaterAid, the UK’s dedicated water charity, for many years.  The charity has teams in 34 countries and aims to transform millions of lives. Since its inception in 1981, WaterAid has reached 24.9 million people with clean water. Every year, World Water Day celebrates and focuses attention on the importance of water. The theme for World Water Day 2018 is ‘Nature for Water’, which is exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face as a society in the 21^st century.

A large proportion of South Staff Water’s and Cambridge Water’s current fundraising total comes from the companies ‘All that Jazz’ Ball, which took place in January. This will be followed up with the next major fundraising event, the Annual Fly-fishing Challenge at Blithfield Reservoir in Staffordshire, which is taking place in the autumn. On World Water Day itself, staff in both regions will also be running internal fundraising events, such as dress-down day, cake sales, games and raffles.

In addition to fundraising for WaterAid, South Staffs Water is committed to supporting the local community. It runs an Employee Volunteer Scheme, which means its employees do three days of volunteering a year in the local community, carrying out such tasks as painting or gardening. The company also works throughout the community, including with local schools, to educate people on the importance of wise water usage and providing presentations and workshops on water efficiency.

South Staffs Water plc has also supported a local Special Needs School in Bloxwich, North Walsall. The school annually takes a number of students on a residential visit to Beaudesert Park in Rugeley, where they spend two nights away from home to take part in a number of outdoor sport and team building activities. South Staffs Water has contributed £1,000 to the school, which will fund 10 students to take part.

Aimee Hissey, teacher at the Special Needs School in Bloxwich, commented: “We are very grateful to South Staffs Water for its contribution towards our students visit to Beaudesert Park. The trip not only opens their eyes to new, outdoor experiences, but also allows them to develop stronger friendships, teambuilding and socials skills and resilience. For some it is their first time away from home.”

Phil Newland, South Staffs Water’s Managing Director commented: “Although the challenges faced by our local community are very different to the communities WaterAid works with, there is one fundamental similarity – the need for clean, safe water. We are honoured to be able to provide this to our customers, and work with them on wider projects to enhance their lives.  It is also deeply gratifying to have the opportunity to raise funds for water projects in less developed countries.”

For further information on South Staffs Water and its fundraising activities, please contact Rachel Dean at RachelDean@south-staffs-water.co.uk.