Cycling for safe water

Equal Aqua Uganda (EAU) is a charity dedicated to the provision of safe drinking water to the people of the African country. Audaxers are being urged to take to the saddle to raise money for the initiative this year. David Mclenachan, a trustee of the charity, reports:

ONE BILLION PEOPLE worldwide still don’t have access to safe drinking water… and in Uganda over half of the population lack this basic human right.

To raise awareness and funds for the EAU’s essential work in Uganda, we’re organising an international cycling fundraiser – Water Wheel. This is inspired by our co-founder, Abel Odeke from Uganda, who is a keen cyclist himself. Abel has pledged to cycle 200km from the Ugandan capital Kampala to Jinja – the source of the Nile – and back. He will be joined by a UK team and Water Wheel ambassadors from six continents.

Equal Aqua Uganda is a youth-led, award-winning charity which works with communities in Uganda to improve water and sanitation facilities. The Uganda team set the vision and determine the needs of local communities, identifying where we may truly make a difference. The UK helps provide the support to make this a reality.

We run classes and workshops in schools, youth groups and community centres. We teach practical skills, such as making reusable sanitary pads, homemade shampoo and liquid soap. These skills enable young people to support their families and communities, and in many cases, to set up businesses making and selling these items.

We hope our Water Wheel initiative will make a real and measurable difference. We pledge to use the funds entirely for our Ugandan operations, building water tanks and running workshops. Your support will be life-enhancing for many. The charity is made up of 100 per cent volunteers.

Please register your interest in participating in the Water Wheel event here: http://equalaqua.org/waterwheel/ Abel Odeke says: “I’ll be one of those cycling the Water Wheel event. I’ll be cycling all the way from Kampala to Jinja and back, a total of 200km, to fundraise for our charity. Your support will be needed too to help those in most need. Thank you so much”.

HOW YOU CAN HELP…

The event is scheduled to take place over the week commencing 21 June but participants are welcome to undertake their cycling trip at any time. Once registered, we will contact you in the lead up the event to provide more details and support your fundraising efforts. You may select your own distance and individual preferences. Participants opting for alternative means of raising funds – for example on an exercise bike – are very welcome to do so. Please submit all funds raised in the UK via our JustGiving link on the website by the end of July and we will advise alternative means for international riders. All those completing the event will be sent an electronic certificate to mark our appreciation. The top five fundraisers will receive a medal to commemorate their success. Please use the social media hashtag #WaterWheel to ensure this is spread far and wide. Please ensure all government guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic are fully adhered to.