Arthur's thousand mile cycle ride for WaterAid

Sixteen-year-old Arthur at Land's End.

Credit: Arthur Keeling

12 August 2011

A pupil from King's College, Taunton, has cycled nearly 1000 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats, raising thousands of pounds for WaterAid.

Setting off last month, sixteen-year-old Arthur Keeling cycled 70-80 miles a day for 13 days, arriving at John O'Groats on 21 July.

Arthur has raised over £3,000 through the challenge for WaterAid, the charity that works to ensure access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene in some of the world's poorest communities.

"When I learnt that 4000 children die every day because of unclean water I was really shocked," he explained. "That fact is awful, and it's something I would like to change."

The teenager battled strong headwinds along the way, but only suffered a single puncture. Highlights included cycling through the Lake District and past Scottish lochs.

Arthur's family, including his younger brother and two sisters, were close by for most of the journey, travelling by car.

"I’d like to thank everyone who sponsored me or supported me in some way, especially my family and my school, King’s College,” Arthur continued. “King's Cycles on Station Road also helped me prepare for the trip, with some really useful help and advice."

WaterAid's Charlotte Flew said: "We're absolutely delighted with the support Arthur has shown to WaterAid. He is an inspiration to others and should feel really proud that the money he has raised will be helping some of the world's poorest communities with life-changing water and sanitation. Well done Arthur!"

You can still sponsor by making a donation to WaterAid visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ArthurKeeling

ENDS

For more information please contact brendamcilwraith@wateraid.org of call 020 7793 2245 or Siobhan Keeling siobhankeeling1@yahoo.co.uk or call 07791570331.

Notes to Editor

WaterAid's vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. The international organisation works in 26 countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific region to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in some of the world's poorest communities. Over the past 30 years, WaterAid has reached 14.38 million people with safe water and, since 2004, 9.4 million people with sanitation. 

Follow @wateraid on Twitter or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wateraid

• At least 4,000 children die every day as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation.
• 884 million people in the world do not have access to safe water. This is roughly one in eight of the world's population.
• 2.6 billion people in the world do not have access to adequate sanitation, this is almost two fifths of the world's population.
• For every $1 invested in water and sanitation, $8 is returned in increased productivity.
• Just £15 can enable one person to access safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation.