With January one of the gloomiest months of the year, especially during a pandemic, some people are brave enough to take on Dry January challenge, but staff at Welsh Water are going the extra mile by only drinking water throughout January.
Andrea Thomas from Rhyl, Alexandra Kirby from Abergele, Victoria Collier from Amlwch and Ffion Green from Neath have all taken up the Just Water challenge to raise money for WaterAid.
The four work for the waste team at the not for profit water company and wanted to do something to raise money for Welsh Water’s partner charity WaterAid as well as raise the profile of the work the charity does to bring clean water to thousands of people across the world.
Welsh Water have been working with WaterAid for 12 years to help the charity reach the 1 in 10 people around the world who don’t have access to clean water. The company carries out a number of different fundraising events every year as well as taking part in the annual Just Water challenge. The money raised by the challenge this year will go towards bringing clean water to the people of Frat, a remote hilly region in Ethiopia.
Victoria Collier works as a Wastewater Networks Supervisor at Welsh Water said; "In the current climate clean water and sanitation is more important than ever so I was keen to do something to help."
But the challenge hasn’t been as easy as she originally thought it would be. Victoria said; "Friday nights are the hardest, when a glass of water with your Chinese takeaway just isn’t hitting the spot!! But there has been benefits as well. I am a little bit of a Pepsi Max fiend, I’ve been able to cut that out for a whole month – hoping to drink less now that I’ve proved to myself I can go without for a month!"
Alex Kirby who works as a Wastewater Technician at Welsh Water said, “I took on the challenge as the girls told me it would be a good idea! The first week was really hard, lack of sugar in drinks dropped my blood sugar and I had no energy. And I really miss my brew in the morning to get the day going especially with the weather being so cold.
But it hasn’t all been bad for Alex. She added; "Just drinking water feels like I’m giving my body a full detox which has been noticeable! My skin is amazing and its really improved my mood."
Andrea Thomas who works as a Customer Relations Supervisor signed up as she likes a challenge. She said; “The first week was the hardest as I had constant headaches! But the challenge does have benefits as well as I now feel better that I know I’m giving my body a complete detox, but I am looking forward to that first drink of Pepsi Max on February 1st.”
Ffion Green who works as an Organisational Change Lead at Welsh Water recently joined the company’s WaterAid Committee said; "The WaterAid Committee takes part in the challenge every year so this year I decided to put my hand up and do something positive for January. Since starting the challenge I’ve found that my skin feels fresher, and I often used to get a headache if I didn’t have a diet coke by lunchtime, so that’s a bonus too.
But it hasn’t all been plain sailing; "The combination of lockdown 3, home schooling a 5-year-old and potty training a two-year-old has definitely made me want to drink something stronger than water. Because I don’t drink tea or coffee, I didn’t think I’d find it that tough, but I’ve missed having the caffeine boost of my daily can of diet coke."
Peter Perry, Welsh Water Chief Executive and Chair of the WaterAid Committee in the company said; “Here in Wales where we have clean water flowing from our taps and flushing toilets it’s easy to take these basic amenities for granted, especially during this time where we need to wash our hands regularly to help protect our health. But with some of the world’s poorest people without access to clean water to drink, decent toilets to use or good hygiene to protect themselves – our staff at Welsh Water are doing their bit to help.
“I’d like to thank Andrea, Alex, Victoria and Ffion for being brave enough this year to take on the Just Water challenge and raising money for this worthwhile cause. If you would like to show your support for the team, please visit the Welsh Water Facebook page.”
Founded in 1981, WaterAid has teams in 28 countries across the world, working with partners to transform millions of lives every year by improving access to clean water, sanitation facilities, toilets and hygiene.