We are proud to provide a sustainable, affordable, clean and safe water supply and to manage and treat the waste water returned to us in a way that protects the environment.
03/07/2008
A water company Land Rover that has already been on duty for more than 110,000 miles has been donated for an epic charity rally when it will clock up another 9,000 miles.
The former Northumbrian Water sewage treatment four-wheel-drive vehicle will travel through 17 countries to Mongolia and raise money en-route for the water company’s adopted, international charity WaterAid.
When it reaches its destination of Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia where the average annual temperature is below zero centigrade, it will be auctioned to raise money for another great cause – to help orphan children who are forced to live in the heating ducts of buildings in the freezing capital.
For one of the four adventurers who have teamed up to undertake the journey it is the final chapter in a 13 year story.
Mike Griffin of Crook, County Durham, featured in a water quality campaign for Northumbrian Water when he was a young pupil at the Durham Chorister School, singing among the giant pillars of a water storage reservoir dubbed a “cathedral under ground.”
And 13 years on Mike, now aged 24, asked his water company for help with his rally ambition - and Northumbrian Water donated an old reliable vehicle, which was due for replacement, to get the charity challenge on the road.
Fittingly Mike and his team mates, Gemma Turner from Ross-on-Wye, and Tom Ashton and Oliver Kilvert from Norfolk, were seen off from the North East with a wave and a song back at the Chorister School next to Durham Cathedral where it all began.
Mike said: “I rang Northumbrian Water hoping to get some sponsorship and nearly fell through the floor when they offered a Land Rover instead. It is going to be the experience and journey of a lifetime which, all being well, will take us about five weeks and we will be able to make a real difference for two great charities at the same time.”
Alistair Baker, Northumbrian Water’s Communications and PR Manager, said: “It was a real surprise to hear from Mike again, having worked with him before his voice broke!
“We are keen to support charity initiatives where we can and I’m delighted we were able to find a vehicle for the rally which has worked out as a far more significant contribution than a cash donation.
“It’s a great use of one of our vehicles which was nearing the end of its working life and the lads who drove it for the company, in particular, will watch its progress with great interest.”
Modifications to the Land Rover have been carried out by the Bowburn-based Durham 4 Wheel Drive centre.
The rally route is: Durham, London (leaving Saturday 5 July), France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia.
WaterAid works to provide clean drinking water, safe sanitation and hygiene education in the developing world. Donations can be made on www.justgiving.com/mongolia_rally
For further information and to arrange an interview with Mike Griffin contact: Alistair Baker on 0191-301-6851 or 07711-793493