CLIMB-IT for climate change: WaterAid launches ultimate cycling elevation challenge

on
27 September 2022
Square promotional photo for WaterAid's Climb-It challenge

In partnership with leading tracking app Strava, international charity WaterAid has launched an innovative cycling challenge to help communities whose access to clean water has been affected by climate change. 

Unlike most existing challenges which are distance-based, CLIMB-IT is is the first charity-led cycling elevation challenge where participants will endeavour to climb the height of Mount Kilimanjaro, wherever and whenever they want.  

The goal is to climb the equivalent of 5,895m between the 1st and 31st October, and by doing so, raise funds for WaterAid and those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change globally.  

During the challenge, participants can cycle when and where is most convenient to them, be it outdoors or on a turbo trainer at home. Those taking part will receive virtual Strava badges at the start, a virtual medal at the end and a virtual trophy to display in their trophy case.  

New aerodynamic cycling brand, AeroPro, have also designed two exclusive cycling jerseys for the challenge. The top 20 fundraisers will be rewarded royally with an exclusive King/Queen version of the Mountain jersey, whilst all participants that raise £100 or more for WaterAid will be entered into a prize draw for one of the 50 exclusive CLIMB-IT by AeroPro jerseys. 

Helen Seacombe, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at WaterAid, said: 

“This challenge is an exciting opportunity for avid cyclists and beginners alike to not only push themselves physically by cycling the incredible equivalent elevation of Mount Kilimanjaro but at the same time enact real change. The effects of climate change are being felt around the world by those who are the least responsible for it and funds raised through CLIMB-IT will travel even further to help make a difference to those who need it most.” 

To take part in the challenge set up your fundraising page now at climb-it.wateraid.org and join on Strava from 17 September. 

ENDS 

For more information, please contact Aarabi Baheerathan [email protected] or call our after-hours press line on +44 (0)7887 521 552  

Notes to Editors: 

WaterAid is working to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. The international not-for-profit organisation works in 28 countries to change the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people. Since 1981, WaterAid has reached 28 million people with clean water and nearly 29 million people with decent toilets. 

For more information, visit our website wateraid.org/uk, follow us on Twitter @WaterAidUK, @WaterAid or @WaterAidPress, or find us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram. 

  • 771 million people in the world – one in ten – do not have clean water close to home.[1] 
  • 1.7 billion people in the world – more than one in five – do not have a decent toilet of their own.[2] 
  • Around 290,000 children under five die every year from diarrhoeal diseases caused by poor water and sanitation. That's more than 800 children a day, or one child every two minutes.[3] 
  • Every £1 invested in water and toilets returns an average of £4 in increased productivity.[4] 
  • Just £15 can provide one person with clean water.[5] 
  1. WHO/UNICEF (2021) Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2020. Joint Monitoring Programme. Geneva: World Health Organisation.  
  2. WHO/UNICEF (2021) Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2020. Joint Monitoring Programme. Geneva: World Health Organisation.  
  3. WaterAid calculations based on: Prüss-Ustün A, et al. (2019). Burden of Disease from Inadequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Selected Adverse Health Outcomes: An Updated Analysis with a Focus on Low- and Middle-Income Countries. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. vol 222, no 5, pp 765-777. AND The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (2020) Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.  
  4. World Health organization (2012) Global costs and benefits of drinking-water supply and sanitation interventions to reach the MDG target and universal coverage  
  5. www.wateraid.org 

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