Northumbrian Water and the Newcastle Eagles have been on the ball with raising hundreds of pounds for WaterAid – helping everyone, everywhere have access to clean water and sanitation.
More than £550 was raised during a recent Newcastle Eagles home game – thanks to the generous audience taking part in a ‘chuck a duck’ competition.
Northumbrian Water volunteers supported with the fundraising effort and some of its employees bought donated charity tickets for the game to help raise money to support the life-saving work of WaterAid.
The event which took part on Friday 18 February also celebrated the local school Hoops4Health tournament finals and awards ceremony, which Northumbrian Water sponsor through its Powered by Water programme.
The water company’s educational programme teaches thousands of youngsters about the importance of staying hydrated and as part of the Newcastle Eagles ongoing programme of activity with schools and children in the local community.
Northumbrian Water’s Corporate Affairs Director, Louise Hunter said: “We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Newcastle Eagles, who along with our other partners help us teach tens of thousands of youngsters every year about the importance for water for health.
“It’s really important that young people stay hydrated by drinking our clear, great tasting tap water. Staying topped up throughout the day will keep them healthy and give them a boost when working hard in the classroom and during physical exercise.
“Sadly, there are still millions of people in the world who don’t have access to the clean water and sanitation they need to stay healthy, which is heart breaking. We’re working in partnership with WaterAid to help bring this crisis to an end by 2030. A massive thank you to the Newcastle Eagles for their support with helping to make this happen.”
The Powered by Water programme teaches youngsters about the importance of staying hydrated and choosing clean, clear and great tasting tap water over sugary drinks, through a series of interactive games, quizzes and activities.
Sam Blake, CEO of the Eagles Community Foundation, said: “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Northumbrian Water and support WaterAid over several years as they campaign for clean water to all, something we take for granted.
It was a spectacular sight watching the sell-out crowd get behind the WaterAid team next Friday as youngsters played the third quarter competition Chuck a Duck to raise money.“
Northumbrian Water has raise helped to raise over £10 million for WaterAid, through events like this and other fundraising activities, and is currently fundraising for another £40,000.
Jennie York, Director of Communications and Fundraising at WaterAid said:
“We’re delighted that Northumbrian Water and Newcastle Eagles have teamed up to raise money for WaterAid. Clean water is vital for everyone everywhere yet 1 in 10 people around the world still don’t have access to this basic human right. The money raised from the Eagles game will make a huge difference to people living in the world’s poorest communities. With clean water, people can enjoy healthy lives, earn a decent living, go to school and enjoy a brighter future.”
To make a donation through Northumbrian Water’s JustGiving WaterAid page, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nwg40for40