As swimmers you understand the power of water, it helps us live a healthy, happy life in so many ways - not least through swimming. Swimming can help free our minds and our bodies. From a gentle lap of a local pool to the extreme chill of an open-air swim, it can satisfy any need or ambition.
'Right now there are 771 million people who don't have clean drinking water close to home.'
In the UK we're so lucky to have clean, fresh water in abundance for both drinking and swimming. But for many around the world that just isn't the case. Right now there are 771 million people who don't have clean drinking water close to home. They must rely on far-away water sources, wasting hours every day collecting water that isn't even safe. They're forced to drink and clean with dirty water that could make them sick. But together, through our love of the water, we can change that.
'With clean water, there's a chance for children to stay in school and get an education.'
When a community like Mary’s (pictured opposite) gets clean water for the first time there's a tremendous sense of joy and celebration. With clean water, there's a chance for children to stay in school and get an education, for families to make a decent living, and for the whole community to lift themselves out of poverty
Join our community
Our need for water unites us. None of us can solve the water crisis alone, but we can each bring something to build a world where everyone can stay healthy and thrive.
Raise funds for WaterAid doing what you love, and grow a global community unlocking people’s potential with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
Great North Swim finishers
You can help spread these joys by joining Team WaterAid at the Arla Great North Swim. Support WaterAid, raise money, have fun and help bring clean drinking water to others around the world.