We're working on a 3 year year EU-WOP (Water Operator Partnership) for EPICS (Enhancing Utility Performance for Increased Customer Satisfaction) with the Eastern Umbrella for Water and Sanitation in Uganda. The aim is to increase the capacity of the Umbrella organisation to deliver reliable, piped water supply, by creating 3 model schemes of sustainable utility management in rural Uganda. These model schemes in Namayingo, Namatumba and Buyende can then act as a benchmark for other schemes across Eastern Uganda and beyond. 

I was lucky to visit these areas in May this year, and see first hand the need. Many homes and villages don't have the benefit of a piped water supply, those that do find the supply to be intermittent, leading to children having to spend their day collecting water, rather than being in school. The constant stream of people walking along the road with thier jerry cans shows how many have to spend hours of their day fetching life's most precious resource, water. Something I think we all can take for granted. 

I also have seen the difference WaterAid and the EUWS are already making, the fundraising from previous years provided motorbikes and water meters that will enable a quicker response by the technicians to any issues in the supply, to increase the reliability of supply. Also in expanding the supply network, so more people can use their time effectively, in education or work, rather than having to fetch water. 

WaterAid is an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation.Since 1981, WaterAid has directly reached 28 million people with clean water; 28 million with decent toilets; and 26 million with good hygiene. Only by tackling these three essentials in ways that last can people change their lives for good. I'm supporting WaterAid because clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene are essential human rights and must be a normal part of everyone's daily lives. With your help, we can change normal for good - together.

I've not yet run a marathon in itself, so looking forward to the challenge! This one is flat so with any luck I'll make the 5hour cut off time and finish in time for a recovery beer.