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Press releases 28/01/02
Thames Water
RWE Group
SURREY MAN PREPARES FOR CHARITY TRIP TO ETHIOPIA
Thames Water’s Allen Kerr is preparing to visit Ethiopia to witness the vital work done by WaterAid, a charity which helps supply fresh water and sanitation to communities around the world.
Allen, 38, works as a water quality technician, sampling supplies from reservoirs, treatment works and customers’ taps across south-east London. In his free time, he also gives talks to spread the word about WaterAid, which is the company’s principal charity.
Now Allen, of Elmwood Close, Wallington, has been chosen as the company’s representative to see WaterAid’s work in action.
On 3 February, he will fly to Ethiopia with staff from other UK water companies on a fact-finding mission to explore how the charity helps improve the quality of life for people in developing countries
Allen said: “I have been involved with WaterAid ever since I joined Thames Water 15 years ago, and have given abut 20 talks on its work, both inside and outside the company. Although I sometimes have to start or finish work late in order to make a speaking engagement, it’s a small price to pay when I feel I’m undertaking such valuable work.
“Most of my talks, though, are based on things I have read or seen on video. My time in Ethiopia will give me first-hand experience of why the charity’s work is so important.
“It will help me raise understanding and awareness regarding the problems developing countries experience in getting access to clean water.”
Allen will be accompanied on the 11-day trip by representatives from nine other UK water companies.
While there, he will visit several sites, including an urban project in the capital, Addis Ababa. The group will then travel south to Hitosa, one of the largest community-managed water projects in the country, where WaterAid pipelines provide water for 71,000 people in 28 villages and three small towns.
Allen is one of 70 Thames Water staff who have volunteered to give talks about WaterAid’s work to community groups across London and the Thames Valley.
This year, Thames Water is again funding the printing and postage of WaterAid’s annual appeal, information on which will be contained in a leaflet enclosed with customers’ annual accounts.
Donations from customers last year, when added to fundraising efforts by company employees, raised a total of about £2.3 million for the charity. In the last 11 years, Thames Water and its customers have given more than £14 million to WaterAid, helping 1.3 million people gain access to safe, clean water.
Anyone who wants to find out more about the company’s WaterAid speakers should call Caroline Glenister on 0118 373 38939.
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