Famous faces get creative to call for clean water for all

Everyone needs clean water: to drink, to wash, and to stay safe and healthy. But almost 1 in 10 people around the world are still living without this most basic human right.

This needs to change – and together, we can help make that happen.

Ahead of the UK general election, we're calling on the next government to prioritise clean water for all. And to help us spread the word, we asked some Glastonbury performers and well-known festival regulars to design a range of temporary tattoos – available exclusively from WaterAid at festivals this summer!

Lulu

Lulu

Jump up and shout for water

Singer Lulu – who’ll be performing at Glastonbury for the final time this year – is calling for everybody to shout now about the power of clean water.

“Almost 1 in 10 people around the world don’t have clean water close to home, meaning women spend hours walking long distances for water that’s so dirty it can make their families sick.

“Water changes lives for good.

“We can all make our voices heard and call for everyone to have this basic right for all by supporting WaterAid!”

“I can't imagine having to walk miles to collect clean water for my family, but this is the reality for so many women around the world.”

Like Lulu, London Grammar lead vocalist Hannah Reid is shining a light on the injustice faced by women and girls, who are usually responsible for fetching water – despite the impacts on their health, their safety, and their chance to go to school or earn a living.

As presenter Laura Whitmore – whose droplet design combines her twin passions of music and art, and is based on a treble clef tattoo she has on her wrist – puts it:

“So many of us take clean water for granted, yet millions are denied this basic right. Women and girls are especially affected.

“It's unjust, and we can all make a difference by adding our voice to WaterAid’s Vote Water campaign, calling for water for all.

“To me, it’s a no-brainer.”

Hannah Reid

Laura Whitmore

Kele Okerere

Mia Regan

Celebrating the power of clean water

Kele Okerere, lead singer and guitarist of Bloc Party, will be taking to the Other Stage with the band on Saturday. His fun, colourful design is celebratory – but still comes with a serious message:

“Everyone needs clean water, but millions of people still live without it, and our changing climate is making the situation worse.

"Together, we can all make a difference and make this a safer and fairer world for all.”

Model Mia Regan, whose design celebrates music and water, has seen first-hand the transformation that clean water can bring.

Last year, she visited a school in Nepal where WaterAid has helped install drinking water points, handwashing sinks, and decent toilets.

“It was amazing to see the difference it's made. Girls told me how they now enjoy their studies.

“Water and toilets change lives – that's why I'm adding my voice to WaterAid's Vote Water campaign.”

Water is Life

Water is definitely our favourite drink, Declan McKenna – and it's so much more too.

Clean water is health, keeping entire communities safe from disease.

It's opportunity, giving people back the time they need to go to school or earn a living, instead of spending hours walking to dirty rivers or ponds.

In fact, as The Vaccines put it, water is life.

Their design is based on the cover of their new album, Pick-up Full of Pink Carnations, and, as lead singer Justin Hayward-Young explains, comes with a message of hope:

“The flowers symbolise gratitude, and our album aims to bring a sense of hope.

“We're lucky to have clean water on tap – but hundreds of millions of people don't.”

Declan McKenna

The Vaccines

Russell Crowe, actor and singer with Indoor Garden Party, has also chosen to reimagine the album artwork for the band's new release, Prose and Cons, for his design, saying:

“Access to clean water is absolutely vital for life – but for millions around the world it can be a daily challenge.”

The message is clear, and it's the same one we're taking to the next UK government: clean water for all.

So will you join our celebrity artists, and add your vote for water?

Vote Water

UK leaders have pledged to do more to tackle the global water crisis – but we're still waiting to see concrete action.

With an election just around the corner, now's the time to tell the next government to prioritise clean water for all.

Add your vote for water

Where you can get the tattoos

If you’re lucky enough to be heading to Glastonbury next week, make your way to The Stand (right next to the Pyramid Stage), the Meeting Place (opposite William’s Green), or our water bars and kiosks to get your hands on these exclusive designs.

You’ll also find us at festivals up and down the UK this summer, so keep an eye out for our water kiosks, Good Loos, and teams of awesome volunteers!