01/04/2008

A gang of water-wise superheroes have joined forces with a North East graffiti artist to tag the importance of water for health.

Graham Cleland from Stanley, County Durham, who is affectionately known in the North East as ‘Graffiti Graham’, is to unveil his latest graffiti wall to a class of twenty students, aged nine and ten, from Easington Colliery Primary School. As a respected member of the local hip-hop scene, Graham has used his graffiti talents to encourage youngsters in the region to develop their artistic potential.

Reporters and photographers are invited to meet the life-size ‘H2O gang’, graffiti artist Graham Cleland and children from Easington Colliery Primary School, on Wednesday April 2, 2008, at Healthworks, Paradise Lane, Easington Colliery at 10.15am.

The vibrant graffiti design covers an entire exterior fence at Healthworks, the healthy living centre in Easington Colliery, and features images of the water cycle as well as spray designs of Karl, Kelly, Jermaine, Bethany and Splash the dog, Northumbrian Water’s superheroes, known as the ‘H2O Gang’.

The graffiti wall, which will be a permanent feature outside of Healthworks, is a fun and funky way to educate children of the importance of drinking enough tap water as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The pupils will also be the first in the region to hear the superheroes’ latest exciting adventure from the fourth ‘H2O gang’ comic, which will be read to them by a professional storyteller. The educational comics, produced by Northumbrian Water, help children to understand how precious water is for life, health and the environment.

Students will also be given bottles of superhero tap water which gives the ‘H2O gang’ their super powers! Medical research shows that children who drink enough water throughout the day concentrate and perform better.
 
Northumbrian Water’s Leanne Clough said: “The superheroes and the graffiti wall will educate Northumbrian Water’s younger customers of the precious nature and health benefits of tap water in a fresh and appealing way.

“We’re delighted that Graham has shared his extraordinary talent to help get a serious message across to children.  The graffiti wall definitely brightens up the former water company building which is now being put to such beneficial use as Healthworks.”

Fiona Maher, Healthworks Co-ordinator said: “Healthworks is being well-used by young and old alike, with a wide variety of services and activities on offer daily. We are very keen to work with local schools as it is never too soon to stress the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including drinking enough water.”

The H2O Gang make learning about the world of water fun, through school visits, an interactive CD-ROM, a series of comics and they also feature on Northumbrian Water’s website, www.nwl.co.uk. The gang’s arch enemies, Dr Dry, and his henchman, Drip, are evil and want to rule the world by stealing or wasting all water.  It is up to the ‘H2O Gang’ to stop them!

Healthworks is a pioneering healthy living centre which opened in November 2007 that aims to improve the health of people in Easington and surrounding areas of East Durham. The building, a former waterworks office block, was provided by Northumbrian Water as part of its investment in the local communities. The site has been developed as part of the neighbourhood renewal programme in partnership with the Easington District Council, Northumbrian Water, East Durham
Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), and Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder.

For more information contact Leanne Clough on 0191 301 6733.