Annual Supporters' Trip 2010

Each year, a selection of employees from across the UK water industry are invited on a trip to one of WaterAid's country programmes.

In 2010, the visit was to Bangladesh.

Find out more about the people who went, and what they hoped to get out of the adventure.

The purpose of the Supporters' Trip is two-fold:

To further enthuse and inspire the individuals in their fundraising efforts for WaterAid, and to give them an opportunity to see first hand how the efforts of the UK water industry are changing lives by helping WaterAid improve access to clean water and safe sanitation.
To generate media coverage around the UK both before and after the trip takes place, helping raise awareness for WaterAid and strengthening the bond between the UK water industry and WaterAid.

This year, those taking part sent updates via Facebook, Twitter and blogs.

Find out more about the people taking part, including links to their blogs:

Alison Fettes, Scottish Water

Alison Fettes

Alison is treasury, tax and insurance manager for Scottish Water in Glasgow and is treasurer of the company's WaterAid committee.

Alison says: "I'm very much looking forward to the trip and I'm sure it will be very useful and educational, and a real eye-opener."

Alison's blog on Scottish Water's website

Sarah Baker, Anglian Water

Sarah Baker

Sarah is the Treatment Manager of Anglian Water's sewage works in Bedford and an active member of the company's WaterAid Committee, which last year raised Â£275,000 for the charity.

This will not be the first time Sarah has seen the problems unsafe water and poor sanitation can cause following the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 she was seconded to Oxfam and worked in Indonesia as a public health engineer.

Sarah says: "I'm looking forward to the trip and I'm really keen to get out there. The great thing will be meeting the WaterAid Bangladesh staff and people in the different villages we'll visit."

Sarah's blog: http://sarahwateraidtrip2010.blogspot.com/

Paul Kidd, South East Water

Paul Kidd

Paul joined Mid Kent Water as a Telemetry Analyst 10 years ago, before the company merged with South East Water. He coordinated South East Water's participation in WaterAid mountain challenge events, raising over Â£15,000, and was recently made South East Water's WaterAid Representative.

Paul says: "It's exciting to have been chosen to represent South East Water on this supporter's trip. This is a rare opportunity to visit projects where WaterAid are working closely with the community to improve sanitation and educate the people about the benefits of better hygiene and how best to achieve it."

Paul's blog: http://www.sewateraid.blogspot.com/

Oliver Malkin, Welsh Water

Oliver Malkin

Oliver works as an engineer based at Welsh Water's offices in Abergavenny and Monmouth.

He was chosen to represent the company on the trip because of his dedicated and enthusiastic support of WaterAid.

Oliver says: "I work with water on a daily basis and understand how important it is that people have a safe, clean, water supply. It is hard to believe that worldwide, a child dies every 20 seconds from water-borne illnesses, but this is what's happening."

Oliver's blog: http://www.dwrcymru.com/wateraid/bangladesh/
Oliver on Twitter: http://twitter.com/omalkin

Daniel Phillips, Veolia Water

Daniel Phillips

Daniel is from Cardiff and is an IT analyst for Veolia Water, based at Dwr Cymru (Welsh Water) in St Mellons.

Daniel was selected to represent Veolia on the trip following a tough selection process, including a panel interview where he faced a grilling from the company's Managing Director.

Daniel says: "I was inspired to apply for the trip following a trip to India and I can't wait to see first hand how WaterAid uses the funds we raise here in the UK to help some of the world's poorest countries gain access to clean water and sanitation."

Daniel's blog: http://danwateraid2010.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html
Daniel on twitter: http://twitter.com/_danphillips

Mark Wickstead, Thames Water

Mark Wickstead

Mark is a Forecast Manager for Thames Water. Before joining the company he worked for ten years on agricultural and rural development projects in Africa and Asia.

Mark says: "I'm really looking forward to this supporters visit. It will be a unique opportunity to see things for myself - the problems, the solutions and the people behind the statistics."

Mark's blog: www.thameswater.co.uk/bangladesh
Mark on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Mark_Wickstead

Jeremy Heath, Sutton & East Surrey Water

Jeremy Heath

Jeremy is a water engineer for Sutton & East Surrey Water. He has helped champion WaterAid at the company for many years, including organising fundraising initiatives.

Jeremy says: "I am really looking forward to seeing how WaterAid is helping bring safe water and sanitation to communities in Bangladesh.

"I hope to use my experiences to inspire more people to get involved and raise funds for this vital cause."

Jeremy's blog
Jeremy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jezHeath

Kezia Drew, Yorkshire Water

Kezia Drew

Kezia is a Work Management Team Leader for Yorkshire Water.

Kezia says: "I've been involved with WaterAid for several years now and I can't wait to get to Bangladesh to see the impact that the money I've helped raise has."

Kezia's blog: http://kez-bangladeshtrip.blogspot.com/

Meet the rest of the team...