In harness to save lives

22/11/2004

Adventurous charity supporters from across the North East will meet to climb the world’s second largest mountain.

For one day only the mountain, K2, normally found in the Himalayas will move to County Durham and take the form of climbing walls.

WaterAid’s Challenge 8000 in the North East takes place on Friday 26 November at Newton Aycliffe’s leisure centre starting at 1.00pm.  Climbers, including Northumbrian Water employees, will sweat-out the equivalent 8,611m of K2 by climbing the walls 957 times.

Alan Hinkes, the UK’s leading high-altitude mountaineer, is calling for people to join him in this national WaterAid challenge to raise money for one of life’s necessities for the world’s poorest people – water. 
 
WaterAid is the adopted charity of Northumbrian Water – an independant organisation which provides clean water, sanitation and hygiene education for people in Africa and Asia.

Alan Hinkes, a long term supporter of WaterAid, says: "When you visit countries like Nepal, you often see people - mostly women and children – walking for hours over rough ground to get collect water.

“They don’t have the luxury of clean water on-tap in their homes, which we take for granted. It costs just £10 to give someone in the developing world clean water for life.

“Please join us this year to reach our Challenge 8000 target of £25,000 which will bring safe water and sanitation to around 1,600 people.”

Each participant is asked to raise minimum sponsorship of £35.  Participants don’t need to be experienced climbers to take part – training will be available.  Places are still available.

For more details on WaterAid’s Challenge 8000 and to register online, please visit www.wateraidchallenge8000.org.uk or call 0845 120 1293.

For further information please contact Joanne Dye, Communications Adviser, on 0191 301 6733.