Gordon’s Alive! Brian Blessed proves change is possible in new film with WaterAid
Actor and comedian Brian Blessed is fronting a new campaign launching this month by international charity WaterAid to show that reaching everyone everywhere with clean water is no pipe dream.
In a new advert, which challenges the traditional charity advert, boisterous Brian addresses the frustrations that we are still seeing images of extreme poverty in 2019 and provides reassurance that the world is making great progress in tackling the water and sanitation crisis.
While a staggering one in nine people still lack access to one of life’s most basic resource, Brian shows that change is possible by highlighting the fact that an astonishing 1.4 billion people have got clean water since 2000. That’s 21 times the number of people who live in the UK.
Brian Blessed, OBE, said:
“It’s crazy to think it’s now 2019, and there are still millions of children around the world who face the dangers of drinking dirty water every day. This shouldn’t be normal anymore.
“While it’s easy to think things aren’t getting any better, the world has actually made fantastic progress in fighting poverty. Since 2000, an incredible 1.4 billion people have got clean water – that’s amazing! It just shows how it really is possible to reach everyone everywhere with clean water. That’s why I’m supporting WaterAid; together we can all help make a difference to lives around the world.”
WaterAid works across the world improve access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. The organisation works with local partners in 28 of the world’s poorest countries, as well as working at a global level to influence governments to prioritise access to these basic human rights.
Steve Melia, Film Manager at WaterAid, said:
“At WaterAid, we believe it’s possible to reach everyone everywhere with clean water and decent sanitation within a generation. At this time of heightened scepticism towards foreign aid, we wanted to show others that this goal is possible and inspire them by highlighting just how much progress is being made around the world. It’s been great to work with Brian Blessed to get this message across in his own unique way.”
Brian Blessed has lent his support to several WaterAid activities over the years, including voicing the charity’s ‘Talking Toilets’ at Glastonbury Festival. This winter, he is supporting The Water Effect appeal. To find out more, visit www.wateraid.org.
ENDS
Download photos of Brian and WaterAid’s work: https://wateraid.assetbank-server.com/assetbank-wateraid/images/assetbox/bda9a0b2-c172-4a96-890f-78a2a7baa05d/assetbox.html
View Brian’s new advert with WaterAid: https://youtu.be/DfLddAAKjSA
For more information, please contact:
Laura Crowley, PR manager, [email protected]
or +44 (0)207 793 4965.
Or call our after-hours press line on +44 (0)7887 521 552
or email [email protected]
Notes to Editors:
WaterAid
WaterAid’s vision is of a world where everyone has access to clean water and sanitation. 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 25.8 million people with clean water and 25.1 million people with decent toilets. For more information, visit www.wateraid.org/uk, follow @WaterAidUK or @WaterAidPress on Twitter, or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wateraid.
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844 million people in the world – one in nine – do not have clean water close to home.[1]
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2.3 billion people in the world – almost one in three – do not have a decent toilet of their own.[2]
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Around 289,000 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]
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Every £1 invested in water and toilets returns an average of £4 in increased productivity.[4]
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Just £15 can provide one person with clean water.[5]
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To find out if countries are keeping their promises on water and sanitation, see the online database www.WASHwatch.org
[1] WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2017 update and SDG Baselines
[2] WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2017 update and SDG Baselines
[3] washwatch.org
[4] World Health organization (2012) Global costs and benefits of drinking-water supply and sanitation interventions to reach the MDG target and universal coverage
