WaterAid is to receive a £44,000 donation this World Water Day (March 22) to help get safe water, sanitation and hygiene to some of the world’s poorest people – thanks to South Staffs Water.

The water company is handing over a cheque to the international charity following its record breaking fundraising Sparkles and Suits Ball, held at the Hilton at St George’s Park in Burton Upon Trent. 

More than 200 guests from businesses across the South Staffordshire Plc Group and the wider water industry supply chain attended the event in January.

Entertainment included a speech from the original Stig, Perry McCarthy; live band Utopia and a comedy compere. There was also a WaterAid themed quiz, prize draw and live auction – with items including Take That tickets, signed sports merchandise and champagne afternoon tea.

WaterAid is the only international, non-governmental organisation dedicated exclusively to providing safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world's poorest people.

For more than 30 years - through the support of customers, employees, businesses and external partners - South Staffs Water has worked in partnership with WaterAid to help transform the lives of thousands of people.

Rachel Barber, Chair of South Staffs Water’s WaterAid Committee, said: “As a result of sponsorship, monetary and gift donations and fundraising on the night, a total of nearly£44,000 was raised, significantly beating last year’s total of £25,000. Thank you to everyone that helped make this happen.”

Funds raised with go towards South Staffs Water’s support of a three year project in Central Madagascar that will reach over 35,000 people with safe water, and over 8,800 people with improved sanitation and hygiene.

Now half way through the project, the latest activity has been digging trenches for water pipes and laying foundations for toilet blocks, alongside on-going hygiene education.

Later this year, the new water systems will begin to provide more than 10,000 people with safe water.

For more information visit www.wateraid.org

21 March 2017