Press Release

Gatwick’s Fire Service pull together for WaterAid

 

12 June 2006

A nine man team from BAA Gatwick Airport’s Fire Service took on a new challenge today to row 100,000 metres in just 5 hours for WaterAid.

The team set up a rowing machine in the departure lounge in Gatwick’s South Terminal and went under starters orders at 0835. To work towards achieving their target, the team operated a relay system requiring a fast 30 second row covering around 160 metres in each leg before rotating with the next rower. Red Watch rowed 100,000 metres in 5 hours 17 minutes.

Travellers leaving Gatwick Airport today enjoyed the event with many donating to the Fire Services chosen charity WaterAid. A charity dedicated to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people.

The rowing event is part of a series of fundraising events organised by Red Watch and will culminate in WaterAid’s 6 Peaks Challenge starting on 7 July.

“We have been really pleased with the support and donations that travellers have given today, as well as giving us encouragement to keep our spirits high and energy levels up. This was a tremendously tough target – our hardest yet. But it is so worthwhile when we know all our efforts are going to help raise much needed funds for WaterAid.” said Andy Horstead, Leading Firefighter, BAA Gatwick.

Andy went on to thank his team for all their hard work, determination and enthusiasm. Team members included; Darryl Graham, Mark Reid, Adam McCulloch, Stuart Coxhill, Phil Harrington, Luke Philpott, Martin Gray and Ian McLean.

Notes to Editors

Key Facts from WaterAid:

WaterAid's vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and effective sanitation.

• 1/6 of the world’s population do not have access to safe water

• 42% of the world’s population – 2.6 billion people have no safe place to go to the toilet

• A child dies every 15 seconds from water-related diseases

 • WaterAid projects providing safe water, sanitation and hygiene education cost £15 per head  

• The average person in the UK uses 135 litres of water every day and one toilet flush uses 10 litres of water - the average person in the developing world uses 10 litres of water per day For further details please contact WaterAid on 0207 793 4500 or www.wateraid.org Wateraid’s 6 Peaks Challenge The aim is for competitors to climb the six highest peaks covering, England, Wales, Scotland, Isle of Man, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. For more information – www.wateraidsixpeakschallenge.org.uk

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