Spirits were high in Birmingham, as 1,329 lucky players of People’s Postcode Lottery celebrated winning a share of £3.2 million in this month’s Postcode Millions draw, while at the same time supporting WaterAid to transform lives across the world.
Not only do the local players win life-changing amounts; they are supporting WaterAid on our mission to reaching communities across the globe with access to clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene so they can build a better future.
Players’ support is helping people like Fantanesh Admasu, 50, who lives with her granddaughter Blen in the Burie Zuria District of Ethiopia, where half the population has no clean water close to home. Every day since she was a young girl, Fantanesh made the long journey down to the riverbank to wait for hours to collect water and bring it back. The dirty river water contained debris causing Fantanesh and Blen to often become sick.
Climate change is making it even harder for many to get clean water as droughts dry up springs and wells, while flooding can contaminate water supplies.
Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery and WaterAid, a new tap with clean water has been installed by Fantanesh’s door, giving her the time to better support Blen, who will grow up as the first child in her family to have clean water as a normal part of daily life. Across the wider community, players’ support has helped 5,861 people access safe drinking water, transforming their lives and building their resilience in the face of a changing climate.
Fantanesh said:
"As far back as I remember the Yeser river has been our main water source. But recently it has gotten very difficult to fetch water from it. After the long trip to the river, I had to wait in line and wait for my turn for hours."
I am ecstatic and still in awe that it is this simple and possible to obtain a pure cup of water to drink. My granddaughter still makes fun of me whenever I get excited to turn on the faucet to see water flowing out.”
Since 2013, players of People’s Postcode have raised an enormous sum of £19.1 million for WaterAid. In 2021 alone, players raised £2,519,000. Players have supported more than 9,000 good causes, big and small, making a difference across the world.
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said:
“We often take clean water for granted, but one in ten people live without this basic human right. We’re happy that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are making a real difference to the lives of people around the world like Fantanesh by improving access to clean water and helping communities build resilience to the effects of climate change.”
The support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery is transforming millions of lives across the world and contributing to our vision of a world where everyone, everywhere has access to these basic human rights.
We’re so grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery in Birmingham and across the country for their ongoing support for our work. Their support is changing the lives of people in some of the hardest to reach places in the world, helping them to be resilient against the impacts of climate change.
With a reliable supply of clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene, communities have an equal chance to be healthy, educated and financially secure - transforming lives for generations to come, no matter what the changing climate may bring.