This year I am celebrating 25 years as a Registered Childminder! 1984 - 2009

I wanted to do something special to celebrate and what better way than raising money for  'Water For Kids'?
Water For Kids aims to preserve and protect the good health of children and communities in the developing world by assisting in the provision of safe drinking water, good sanitation and other related public health measures.
Please help by taking part in my 'Big Swig' Fundraising!
Why is it called The Big Swig? Well, I just wanted something catchy, easy to remember and a bit of fun!

Update December 2010 -Due to popular demand the page was extended to run for another year, this was so some more fundraising could be run through the summer months. The page will now close in Jan 2011

Update December 2009 - One of the members kindly offered to raise money by organising a "Phone Call from Santa" or "A letter from Santa" this proved very popular and there have been some very surprised children picking up the phone!

Update 24th October 2009 - The Auction has now ended - A big thank you to all those who have donated items or bought them!

September 2009 - Auction running for members of the  forum, get those Christmas presents or bargains now!! www.childmindingforum.co.uk/auction

Update August 2009: Just wanted to say a massive "THANK YOU" to everyone who has donated so far, you are really making a difference!

We take water for granted. Do we think how lucky we are to nip to the tap and take a Big Swig of cool water on a hot day? We use it for play activities for the children, we wash our cars in it, we flush the toilet with it but sadly not every child is lucky enough to have that same access to fresh, clean drinking water.

How can you help?

All I ask is that next time you have a Big Swig of water, or other refreshment, you donate a little towards this valuable cause and give a child the chance to do the same?

Go on, next time you run the tap add a couple of quid to the fundraising or how about going without that last pint and donating the money instead? Did you enjoy that cuppa? Why not give the equivalent?

Are you a childminder? Why not ask parents and friends to sponsor the children to measure how much water they drink in a day? Donating £1 a pint? A good activity for meeting many of the Early Years Foundation Stage, Learning and Development Goals!

Are you one of my Motorhome owner friends? How about donating a few pence for every gallon your fresh water tank holds?

Let me know if you can think of other ways to raise money and I will add them here.

Just £1 can make a difference, let's make sure those children have the pleasure of a cool and refreshing Big Swig of clean fresh water!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.