World first - peaks to pounds

09/06/2005

Tens of thousands of lives will be saved when water workers climb thousands of feet for charity to help achieve a world first.

One hundred Northumbrian Water employees will join more than 1000 charity champions and put on their walking boots to achieve one of the country’s biggest challenges to help save more than 60,000 lives.

WaterAid’s Munro Challenge is taking place this Saturday.  Participants will stride up the rough terrain to reach their chosen Munro peak – one of 303 in the UK and all above 3,000ft – between 12.00 noon and 2.00pm.

The world first will be achieved when all 303 peaks have two members of each team on top at the same time in the timescale of the challenge.

Fourty-six peaks will be conquered by Northumbrian Water employees in the breath-taking area of Torridon in Scotland.

John Mowbray, Chairman of WaterAid Northumbria, said:  “Having taken part in the Munro Challenge previously I have witnessed the effort, and almost pain, climbers experience.  Knowing they are saving lives drives their determination.

“It costs less than £15 to provide a child in Africa or Asia with clean water, sanitation and hygiene education for life.  One of these children dies every 15 seconds from a water-related illness,” added John who once again will be climbing this time.

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

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

Note:
Leaving early morning Friday 10 June 2005