Around 5,000 children die every day from diseases caught by drinking dirty water
Walk Stories
Want to find out what it’s like to walk four miles for water on a hot day in Africa? Want to find out how churches, schools and other groups are going for a walk themselves to change that reality?
Check out our walk stories and then send us your story and let us share it here…
Eight-month-old Chloe joins Turn on the Tap
Eight-month-old Chloe has just finished collecting her sponsorship money having joined the Calton Leas walk at Chatsworth. Chloe managed to raise £100 more than her original target of £200, and after HSBC match it, her total soared to £600. Chloe helped the Calton Leas walkers raised close to £3000 for people without access to safe drinking water.
East Disbury walks for water
13 keen walkers from East Disbury Methodist Church completed their 4 mile walk for water and raised an amazing £1004.36. On the following Sunday they organised a special service exploring the water theme further. A big well done.
Walking High and Low for Water
30 people from the Wirral took part in our Walk High and Low for water on 17th October. The weather was fine and we walked 4 miles around Lower and Higher Bebington, taking in the public footpaths around Brackenwood Golf Course and calling in at Higher Bebington Methodist Church for a tea break. Everyone enjoyed the walk and 25 completed the 4 miles.
So far I have £561.00 ready to forward to Samaritans Purse, and I know of another £260.00 that is being sent directly to you by the walkers.
Westfield Church's Harvest Walk
24 people and a dog undertook the walk, setting off from Blackmore Farm and walking around the fields to the villages of Charlynch and Spaxton. A lovely September day helped make the walk an enjoyable experience whilst at the same time we have raised in excess of £250.
In addition the church had a Water Day on Saturday the 26th September when everyone was encouraged to put some money into a water bottle everytime they turned on the tap and then bring the money to our harvest service then next morining. So far this has raised a further £380+.
To add to this we have been in partnership with the local primary school, Westover Green Primary School where the staff and pupils have donated bottles of water and we are going to sell these at Bridgwater Fair, (Our Church is located in the middle of the fair and therefore opens for refreshments every year) and all proceeds will go to turn on the tap. A Turn on the Tap display has also been set up so that the many thousands of visitors we will serve refreshments to over the course of the four days of fair can also see the valuable work being doing.
A Walk Down Under!
After participating in Operation Christmas Child last year, the Kingborough Family Church in Hobart had a desire for its children to understand that they could continue to help those in need around the world throughout the year. So the children’s ministry co-ordinator, Ticia Glass, organised a simple fundraising walk around the church grounds to raise money for the Turn on The Tap campaign. It was an opportunity that was embraced by the whole church community, raising a healthy $400 for water projects in developing countries. “The congregation was so excited about the children getting involved in a practical way to help other children across the globe that they really reached out financially,” Ticia said.
Fundraising Target Smashed
Generous South Tynesiders splashed the cash to break a fundraising target.
Organiser Carol Hall and fellow volunteers visited schools throughout the borough as part of the Turn On The Tap campaign.Money quickly poured in, with the total recently standing at £3,800, with more sponsorship to follow. Mrs Hall said: “We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors, with special thanks to the Mayor and Mayoress, Coun John Anglin and his wife, Chris, eleven schools and six choirs, Asda, Boldon and Churches Together in South Tyneside. We must also say a big thank you to Jarrow Salvation Army for their support, and for letting us use their hall for a sponsored Singathon on Saturday 25th April. The Ladies Fellowship commenced the programme at 10am, with assistance from then Deputy Mayor and Mayoress, John and his wife, Chris Anglin. Next to perform were the Salvation Army Songsters, followed by Hebburn Comprehensive School, St James Church Choir and then Jarrow Gospel Joy. This was followed by a united singing, then prayers to close by Captain Brian Wright. Refreshments were served throughout the day along with home-made cards and jams.
An Awareness Day at Asda, Boldon on 28th March raised £348.40.
Godrevy Turn On The Tap
Our walk back in June covered a total distance of approximately 15 miles. 18 of us set off from Phillack Church including our local MP. We walked along the length of Hayle beach on the north Cornwall coast to the next village of Gwithian. Here we enjoyed hospitality at Gwithian Church before heading inland via public footpaths and bridleways to Gwinear Church where our pasty lunch awaited us. After lunch we continued across country once again to the village of St Erth where more hospitality awaited us. We filled a 20 litre water container from the Hayle river just outside the church and then carried it the last 3 - 4 miles back through St Elwyn's Church in Hayle (more hospitality) and the final short leg back to our starting location. The walk took from 09:00 till 4:30 on a beautiful hot Sunday.
Home groups Walk for Water Walk
On a sunny Sunday afternoon a group of 21 walkers plus a baby,a young boy on his Dad's back and a dog set out for a 4 mile walk in Sutton Park. We carried two large containers of clean water to remind us of what it is like to have to carry the water you need and then when one container was drank for refreshment we filled it up from a lake to remind us of the situations many collect their unsafe water from.
Returning to one of the families home we had cream tea in the garden and then as the weather changed and it threatened rain we came inside and watched a Turn on the Tap DVD. Donations from the event came to £130 and a happy time of fellowship was enjoyed by all.
Chips on the Chase
The Youth Group at Aldridge Parish Church did a four mile sponsored walk on Cannock Chase one wet Friday evening. They stopped for their traditional chips on the Chase and kept up morale despite the weather. They raised an amazing £592 Well Done to everyone.
Sunset to Sunrise
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A few years ago 12th Swindon Scout group had walked from sunset to sunrise during the shortest night, and we decided we wanted to do it again this year. We then heard about walk for water and thought that this was a great cause to support and so asked family and friends to sponsor us. The evening was clear and mild as 7 scouts and three adults left the car park at Uffington White horse at 7am on Saturday 20th June 2009. We walked along the Ridgeway untill we arrived at Liddington Castle at about 5am unfortunately by this time it started to rain so instead of sitting down to watch the sun rise we set off for Lower Upham where some more of our troop were at an air camp and hopefully there would be a bacon buttie waiting for us. We all had a brilliant time dispite the weather and have gained part of our Global challange badge.
Hope Hamilton Walk for Water
On saturday 16th May 2009 about 20 people old and young and 2 dogs Reggie and Sasha walked 5 miles for water in the rain and hail. We walked from Hope Hamilton Church to Picks Farm through mud sludge and fields, we all got very wet but giggled when we thought of how hot it had been the previous year. We looked pretty bedraggled when we arrived at the farm for a coffee. We have so far raised quite a lot of money and that it's still coming in .... we enjoyed the day even got some pretty funny looks from a herd of young black bulls, luckily none of us were in red!!!
Sian Goodman
Walk for Water, Lydiard Park
At 2pm we gathered, a motley crew – sorry, diverse group – the young and slightly more mature, parents, children, grandparents, dogs - outside the Stable Rooms next to St Mary’s Church, ready for our second annual Walk for Water. The 3-4 mile course around the park was chosen to reflect the distance that someone in the developing world might have to walk to collect water. To underline this we had the option of carrying bottles of water for the second half of the course. It has to be said that this was greeted with far more enthusiasm than is usually the case if you ask your offspring to carry a bottle of drink home from the corner shop, and quite how so much of the water ended up all over the children at the end of the walk, is left to your imagination.
As well as an opportunity to raise money through sponsorship for water projects (the money raised goes to the charity Samaritan’s Purse), this was an excellent opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise and enjoy each other’s company. The walk was done in two loops, with a break in the middle, and on good paths, so the youngest amongst us were able to retire to their buggies when needed.
Many thanks go to Heather Benn for organising the walk and also providing us with wonderful refreshments. Hopefully, we will do it again next year, so why not think about joining us?
Ginnie Heads
Diss Methodist Church Lap up the Water
It was a beautiful sunny day on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and seven walkers set off on 65 laps of our church grounds to cover the four miles.
Our walkers were sponsored as was the bucket of water which was transported the 65 laps also. It was a real eye opener carrying the bucket which became quite a burden after only a few laps and it only had 5 litres of water in it! A great time of fellowship and walking was then followed with a barbeque. When all our money is in we should have around £450.
Here's hoping everybody else has a successful a day as we did and life might become a little easier for those less fortunate than ourselves.
City Life Church Hull Turn on the Tap
Over the past two months the members of City Life Church Hull have been running various activities to raise awareness of the Turn on the Tap campaign and our Walk for Water event. From our kids church, to our youth clubs. From the Allstars club to a table-top sale; the efforts of many people culminated in our 4 mile sponsored walk along the River Humber on Saturday 20th June.
The children of Kirk Ella St. Andrews school even got involved by painting and selling safari scenes as part of their Africa week and donating the proceeds to the sponsored walk. 8 people took part in the walk including Caleb (7) and Reggie (8), and another sponsored walk for our Legends Youth Club is already being planned.
Everyone who helped in any way was then invited to our Father's Day service, which was an hour of fun and games, focussing on the Turn on the Tap campaign.
So far the total money raised is just over £200, so we'd like to say a huge thank you to all those who played their part in providing clean water for people in Africa!
Belfast's wet walk
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On a very wet, windy, and cold day 35 walkers gathered to brave the elements. In spite of the weather we all enjoyed ourselves and managed to raise between £800 and £1,000, a real achievement.
Sure God will bless it as HE uses it!!!
On a Glorious Sunny Day
Saturday 30th May, a glorious sunny day. Our group was made up of 4 children, 7 adults and a dog. Setting out from our local country park, we soon ventured out in to the surrounding fields and countryside. Briefly passing through a village we then had to navigate an extremely busy road (dual carriage way) before finding ourselves in some very pleasant pasture land with the resident horses who were most disinterested in their latest visitors! Following along the river bank we stopped for a drink and a jelly sweet before finishing off the walk into the town area and back to the country park, where we were all ready for the picnic lunch. A really enjoyable day spent with friends, looking forward to next time.
Raglan Baptist Church walks for water
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It must have came as quite a shock to the 6 holidaymakers moored on the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal, as over 40 members of Raglan Baptist Church and its youth club marched, strolled or even skipped past them as they sat enjoying the warm, sunny, summer evening! They took it in good spirits and even donated to our worthy cause when they discovered the reason behind our venture!
We set off from Goytre Wharf towards Brecon, stopping at the 2 mile mark and turning back. The youth club even had an impromptu frolic in the woods!
We all knew the serious reasons behind our fun evening though and have raised almost £250 (so far) for the campaign.
Thanks to all the walkers and people who donated to our walk!
Walk 4 Water Worcester
Our walk was started off by Cecil Duckworth the founder of the Worcestershire Duckworth Trust; on Saturday 30th May it was a lovely warm sunny day. This is the second year we have done this walk and this year 40 walkers entered into the spirit of the day. We had a number of very elderly folk walking there was a couple well in their 70's. We were also privileged to have our regional manager Alan Wood among our walkers also the area coordinator Bob James and his wife Sylvia. We had a very good day and everyone enjoyed themselves. The amount of money sponsored was £2,000+ and money is still being sponsored. We thank all those who took part to make a difference.
Greenhead Park '09
This was the second Walk for Water that this team from Huddersfield have completed. Although down on numbers from the previous year their spirits were not dampened and they enjoyed their walk in the sun.
Well done.
Norton C of E Primary School walk for water
We left Norton School a few at a time on a pleasant, not overly warm, spring day, May 9th and walked up Sandhurst hill to the top. The other side took us down to the River Severn where, in the floods of 2007, the Red Lion Pub was totally flooded out. Now refurbished and functioning we bought ice-creams and drinks at the campshop before continuing our walk along the water meadows and back to the school at Norton. Then we drove back to the pub for lunch and a well-deserved drink. Participants ranged from about 18 months to 70 years old and involved all members of the school, church and local community. We hope to have raised about £1000 like last year but we are still collecting some sponsor money and some bottles in. It was good fun again and we hope to make it an annual thing.
Burnley College Walks for Water
We found out about walk for water after researching samartitans purse, looking at the christmas appeal and found the walk for water appeal. We thought it would be a great idea for the students to participate and learn more about the struggles of people in different countries. We discussed how we could help and the importance of clean dinking water.
Then the tutors set about ordering all the leaflets and information and organising a walk around the local park which has a boating lake in the centre. The aim was to do as many laps of the lake as possible in one hour. Each lap was marked with a stamp and the students with the most laps won a prize. Tutors also took part and every participant gained a certificate. I am pleased to say the weather was lovely and everyone had a great time.
Cycle for Water
You’ve heard of walking for water but why not cycle? That’s what James and Kev from Liverpool are doing. They’ve decided to take on the challenge of cycling from Liverpool all the way to Lands End 500 miles away. You can sponsor them at www.justgiving.com/liverpool-landsend
Canonteign Falls
We have completed the walk! We were very grateful to the manager of Canonteign Falls (highest waterfall in England) as they gave us a wonderful discounted entry price. We invited friends family aswell as church members and church friends to join us in our Walk for Water. We had a total of 42 people, a newborn baby and 2 dogs for the day. Our greatest moment of the day was supporting an 80 year old lady up the 220 feet of the steep and rocky path to the very top! A great time was had by all, and best of all, we have so far managed to raise a total of £65. This is our second year of walking for water and I'm certain it won't be our last.
God bless you all,
Jo Jones
284 miles!
On Sunday afternoon of May 10th 71 people including a number of children and a few dogs took part in a 4 mile walk starting and finishing at the local junior school. The walk went into the countryside near the University of Kent, keeping mainly to public rights of way and went over a few stiles.
We were blessed with perfect weather. The sun came out again just as we were about to start the walk, a real answer to prayer. Everyone had a great time and were greeted with cold drinks and luscious cakes on their return which was very much appreciated by all. The participants were from Trinity Community Church, their friends and Christians from other churches in the city. Everyone thought it was really worthwhile and a great way to raise money. We hope to have raised at least £800 from the event which is 20 water filters.
Every Drop Counts
We may have been small in number that set off on a beautiful sunny day for our walk but we were big in heart. Along the way we pondered what our lives would be like without clean, accessible water. The answer was simple. ‘How lucky we are in this and other countries to have a permanent supply of safe, clean water, which is easily accessible, by TURNING ON THE TAP!!'
We raised the sum of £62, which we hope will help to make it happen for others.
Shirley Powell
The Limestone Way
On Saturday 18 April, I pulled on my walking boots and with my rucksack on my back set out from Edale at the foot of the Pennine Way to walk fifty miles through Derbyshire's limenston country to Rocester. The weather was glorious - warm and sunny throughout the week, and the beauty of creation spoke of our creator God and Heavenly Father.
For me, another of the joys of long distance walking is the people I meet along the way. On this occasion, walking through Bradford Dale, I was crossing a bridge over the river near Youlgreave, when I met a trio from the Netherlands. I was not prepared for their reaction when, in response to their enquiry, I told them I was walking to raise funds for Samaritan's Purse 'Turn on the Tap' campaign. Immediately one member of the group opened her handbag to produce a Samaritan's Purse volunteer card. She had been involved in the preparation of Christmas shoeboxes and had helped in the distribution travelling to a number of countries to do so. Small world!
It was significant that I was walking along a river bank at the time, it brought me back to the needy people without clean water. I continued my journey with a more determined step, following that delightful encounter with people who shared my commitment to the compassionate ministries of Samaritan's Purse.
Norman Armistead
Walking to Work
Dan, who works at our office in Buckhurst Hill, decided to walk to work. He walked the 13.1 miles from Kennington, Central London, on the 18th May. To avoid arriving late Dan set off at 4:15am. You can find out more or sponsor him at www.justgiving.com/danielchalke.
Reservoir Ramble...
We are the Skill Force team based at Westlands School in Torquay. We all enjoy walking and get involved in Operation Christmas Child, the Samaritan’s Purse shoe box campaign. Our Walk for Water was great fun and gave us an opportunity to help others. We walked around Fernworthy Reservoir on Dartmoor in Devon, a reminder of how lucky we are in England with water always available. The reservoir was just over four miles around and helped us appreciate what others have to go through to get the water they need. We have already collected £50 and hope to reach £100.
The Westlands Walkers from Skill Force Torbay.
Chowdene Community Church Walk for Water
On a beautiful day on the North East coast fifteen walkers from Chowdene Communty Church met at Souter Lighthouse to begin our Walk for Water. Unfortunately two others got the instructions confused and went to a different lighthouse further up the coast at Whitley Bay. We had a great time as we walked, talked and joked along the beautiful stretch of coastal cliffs. Two, of the more daring, walkers scrambled down the cliff side to fetch buckets of water which we carried back with the group. This made us appreciate how fortunate we are to live in this beautiful country with all its modern facilities and hope our small efforts may be a blessing to our African friends.
By Derek Forster
The Thames Walk for Water
Meet Martyn Caterall and John Gatt. They took 15 days to walk 190 miles along the Thames from its source in Cirencester, Glouchester all the way to the Thames Barrier in Greenwich. Along the way they were joined by loads of Turn on the Tap walkers, popped into Downing Street, and catalogued photos of the weird and wonderful. You can read all about their adventures on their blog.
Flora from Mozambique
Flora is used to walking long distances for water. As the head of a household of 8 family members, it is her responsibility to collect water for the family every day.
That all changed last year when Samaritan’s Purse came to her village in Chicualacuala District to repair a disused borehole and train villagers to keep it running. Now that the pump is working, Flora has double blessings.
“This water from the pump is helping me a lot, not only because it is clean, but because it is very close to my home,” she explains. “When the pump was not working, I had to walk a long distance to the river to collect water that was dirty”.
What’s more, Flora has joined the village water committee and even worked with her neighbours to erect a fence around the pump and ensure it’s working for all families in the village who no longer have to walk long distances for dirty water.
