Action man's African mission

27/01/2005

Water company ‘Action Man’ will make a huge splash for charity when he travels across the oceans to Africa.

Nothing waters down Dave Whiteley’s enthusiasm – from climbing mountains to jumping out of planes – and now he is off to Africa for WaterAid.

Yet his African mission will be his biggest challenge yet as he witnesses first hand the hardship people without water suffer.

Dave, Facilities Manager at Northumbrian Water based at head office in Durham, has dedicated 20 years of his life supporting WaterAid.  He has represented Northumbrian Water, which serves customers from Berwick down to North Yorkshire and across to the Pennines, on WaterAid’s national committee.

He recently received the President’s Award from HRH Prince Charles for outstanding voluntary contribution to WaterAid – only one out of three in the North East.

So far from home yet so close to his heart, Dave will join others from around the UK to begin a two-week supporters trip to Tanzania (on Saturday 5 February 2005).

WaterAid is Northumbrian Water’s adopted international charity which provides clean water, sanitation and hygiene education for people in Africa and Asia.

Dave, aged 52 from Tynemouth, said: "This is a life-time ambition of mine and although I am prepared for the extreme hard working conditions and challenges ahead, I am aware of the waves of emotion we will all face.

“It will be humbling to witness how difficult it is for people in Tanzania to get clean safe water each day – something we take for granted in the North East.  It will be rewarding to see the benefit of WaterAid’s hard work and expertise.”

It costs £10 to provide someone in Africa or Asia with clean water, sanitation and hygiene education for life.

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