Thames Water

As one of the largest water companies in the world Thames Water has a responsibility to work in partnership to provide solutions for communities around the globe. Since the privatisation of the company in 1989 over £14 million has been raised by Thames Water, its staff, customers, community groups and suppliers for WaterAid.

With its partners, they have raised enough to provide practical solutions to help some 1.3 million people help themselves and gain access to safe, clean water.

WaterAid is Thames Water's principal charity and the partnership forms a key part of the company Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Staff and customers are encouraged to support WaterAid in a variety of ways. There are currently over 500 Thames Water staff volunteers involved in raising awareness of WaterAid's work and raising funds to support Thames Water's country link to Tanzania.

Staff have a good understanding of the vital importance of water for life. A network of staff volunteers are regularly invited to speak to local community groups about WaterAid's work.

Thames Water also supports staff organising events by matching fundraising efforts on a pound for pound basis.

WaterAid also benefited through an unusual website project called givewater.org This donate-for-free website was launched by Thames Water to raise awareness and money for WaterAid. The site became a huge global success and reached its target of 4 million visitors. Thames Water has now donated over £200,000 to WaterAid through the Givewater site.

Successful events held include an annual Reading Raft Race which features 40 teams of intrepid rafters on the River Thames, in fancy dress and on home-made rafts.

The London Marathon is one of the key events in the employee fundraising calendar, with the Thames Water team of 10 raising over £10,000.

Staff also make regular donations through the WaterAid Lottery and Give As You Earn with the costs of running the scheme paid by Thames Water. An annual volunteers celebration recognises the individual and team achievements of employees and the wider community with awards for outstanding volunteering.

Each year Thames Water funds a staff visit to see WaterAid projects in action, and how the money customers and staff raise is making a difference.

Find out more about Thames Water.