Southern Water is proud to be a long standing supporter of the international charity WaterAid which raises funds to enable the world’s poorest people to gain access to safe water and sanitation. Over 1 billion people do not have access to clean water and over 2 million die from water related diseases each year.

WaterAid was officially established as a charitable trust in 1981 in conjunction with the UK water industry.

Since then it has gained worldwide status and was presented with the Third Sector Award for Britain’s Most Admired Charity in 2006.

The charity works with people in 17 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific Region to provide access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.

This underpins health, education and livelihoods and forms the basic first steps to overcoming poverty.

This year alone, the charity aims to help more than one million people access safe water and more than 1.5 million access sanitation.

Southern Water, its employees and customers have supported WaterAid since its creation by organising and taking part in fundraising events and making donations.

In March, 2007, Southern Water organised a 007-themed charity ball which raised £155,000 – the largest amount ever raised in a single event for WaterAid.

The company has since raised a further £9,000 at a charity golf day in July and £60,000 in October at a charity Irish race day at Fontwell Park, West Sussex - raising enough money to help nearly 15,000 people. These events have helped Southern Water exceed its fundraising target of £200,000 for the year.

Employees also take part in a monthly WaterAid lottery directly through their pay, with cash prizes every month across the industry.

Just £15 a month provides one person with access to these essential services for life.

To make a donation to WaterAid, visit their website at www.wateraid.org/uk/donate or to find out more about WaterAid’s work and other ways that you can help, go to www.wateraid.org/uk.