21/11/2008

Reddish Vale Technology College Funds Water Pump for Malawi

Pupils and catering staff at Reddish Vale Technology College in Stockport have purchased a water pump to help a community of 250 people in Malawi in Africa to enjoy fresh, clean water.

The money was raised through sales of 'Thirsty Planet' water bottles which the school's Catering Team, together with vending machine supplier 1st Food & Drink, sells via the school's vending machines.

Each person in the African community will now have access to 40 litres of clean drinking water every day.

Linda Donnelly, Catering Manager at Reddish Vale Technology College said: "The Catering Team has promoted Fairtrade drinks for many years and we are selling Thirsty Planet water for this very good cause. I am very proud to play a part in improving the lives of people in African countries. We will continue to sell the water and look forward to funding another pump."

Jenny Campbell, Headteacher of Reddish Vale Technology College, added: "We encourage all our pupils to be active global citizens. We give them every opportunity to improve their connections with communities all around the world. The college has, for example links with Uganda, Brazil and is currently working to support a partnership within China. In doing this, we believe that our pupils get 'real' experiences of citizenship that not only give a lasting positive impact in other communities around the world but also set them up to belong to and achieve more in an increasingly globalised environment".

The fund raising project is also running in Stockport School in Mile End, and Solutions SK hope to introduce it to other Stockport secondary schools.

Solutions SK provide healthy and nutritious school meals in over 100 primary and 9 secondary schools across the borough.

Thirsty Planet, established last year, is dedicated to bringing clean water to millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. It has so far funded over 2,500 pumps, costing £700,000, to help 1.4m people, mainly in Zimbabwe and Malawi. Over a million people have been helped and their target is 10 million by 2015. Thirsty Planet is one of 1st Food & Drink's ethical trading partners. Proceeds from sales go to Pump Aid, a UK charity working exclusively with Thirsty Planet. For more information log onto www.thirsty-planet.com

Ends

Pictured, left to right, are: Paul Martin, Managing Director of Thirsty Planet; Linda Donnelly, Catering Manager at Reddish Vale Technology College; pupils Alexandra Finn and Megan Worsley; and Harry Hewson from 1st Food & Drink.