WaterAid: Water with Whitbread

With words such as 'inspiring', 'eye-opening' and 'thought-provoking' peppering conversation it is not difficult to understand the impact a recent trip to India had on a team from Whitbread.

The seven-strong party accompanied WaterAid on a visit to slums to see the difference the charity's projects make to people's lives.

Whitbread, whose brands include Beefeater and Brewers Fayre, has committed itself to raising £1m for the charity and is already halfway towards the target.

Making a real difference

The team visited slums that have yet to benefit from WaterAid's help and others where the money to provide clean water and sanitation has already made a huge difference.

Ruth Jackson, human resources manager for Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, was one of the team

on the trip to the north eastern state of Bihar. She said: "It was an amazing experience, really thought provoking. It was a real privilege for us to go.

"I have been involved with WaterAid so I like to think I have a good understanding of the issues but this really brings it home. I don't think anything can prepare you for what you see when you are out there."

Ruth was particularly struck by the story of 18-year-old Seema who spoke of her embarrassment at having to hide in the bushes to go to the toilet before WaterAid's intervention.

Now with access to clean water she has gained in confidence and is studying hard to move away from the slums and make a career for herself.

In many ways Seema is one of the lucky ones. Almost 30 per cent of the one billion population of India live in poverty and for every 1,000 children, 87 die before their fifth birthday.

Only 28 per cent of the population have access to adequate sanitation and in rural areas just 15 per cent have access to a toilet.

Inventive fundraising

Ruth added that seeing the work in action has inspired her and colleagues to think of more inventive ways to raise money for the cause and help them hit their £1m target.

Already staff have organised a range of events including sponsored walks and dragon boat races.

Similarly pubs across the country have been signing up to The Publican backed Tap into WaterAid initiative. This sees customers donate at least 15p every time they order tap water.

The money all goes to helping people in the developing world gain access to a lasting supply of water, improved hygiene and sanitation.

And the above is something that is all too easy to take for granted, according to Tower Hill Premier Inn general manager Martin Barrie, who was also on the trip. "Our visit to India was a real eye-opener," he said. "I will never forget the appalling conditions in the slum settlements we saw and, by contrast, the amazing difference WaterAid's projects have made elsewhere.

"I came to realise that it's not just a case of providing people with taps and toilets. It is significantly more than that. It is about working with the community at all levels, breaking down social barriers, educating about hygiene and ultimately giving people a sense of real dignity, pride and hope."

And WaterAid is keen to show how the support is helping the cause.

Adeline Moe, corporate account manager at WaterAid, said: "The visit to India was a chance for us to show Martin and his colleagues exactly how the £500,000 raised so far through their hard work and generosity has helped transform the lives of some of the poorest communities in India."