Summit to be proud of

13/06/2007

A team of water workers were among hundreds that conquered mountains throughout the UK and raised about £250,000 for charity.

Essex & Suffolk Water’s adopted charity WaterAid organised 2,750 people to take on the Munro Challenge and 519 teams (of four or more people) reached the top of 263 of the highest mountains in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

The nine-strong team from Essex & Suffolk Water raised £600 by climbing 1064-metre high Carned Llewelyn in North Wales.

The challenge (on Saturday 9 June) was graced with glorious sunny weather which allowed for magnificent panoramic views but red hot temperatures added signficiantly to the physical endurance of the event which, for many teams, demanded more than eight hours of walking and climbing.  

WaterAid works to provide clean drinking water, safe sanitation and hygiene education in Africa and Asia where disease caused by dirty water kills 5,000 children every day. It costs just £15 per person to provide those basic necessities for life.

Phil Hitchens, water quality chemist, who lives in Heybridge said: “There was a great sense of achievement felt by the whole team when we reached the top.

 “We not only enjoyed the day but also raised enough money to help change 40 people’s lives for ever by providing them with the basic essentials for a healthy life that we take for granted.”

Donations can still be made on line through www.justgiving.com/tosavelives

For further information contact Claire Bishop on 01245 212010.