Barwon Water gets moving for WaterAid

BARWON Water staff have put their best foot forward to raise funds and awareness of the ‘Walk for Water’ initiative.

The week-long fundraising campaign encouraged people to walk, run or ride to support WaterAid, an international not-for-profit committed to making clean water available for everyone, everywhere.

Barwon Water managing director Shaun Cumming got his legs moving in a big way and completed a marathon along the Moorabool River to support the cause.

The Moorabool River is a water source for the population of Geelong, a place of significant cultural significance for Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, and a home for many native plants and animals.

“While I [chose] to run for fun, hundreds of millions of people around the world have to walk for hours every day just to get clean water,” Mr Cumming said.

“This daily marathon to collect water often falls to women and girls. This in turn prevents them from accessing schooling, earning an income and breaking cycles of poverty and inequality.

“WaterAid is committed to helping communities gain access to clean water sources close to home, freeing up women’s time and enabling girls to spend more time going to school.

“A huge thank you to everyone for your amazing support and donations thus far.”

Wadawurrung Traditional Owner and Barwon Water board director Corinna Eccles joined Mr Cumming for 26 kilometres of his journey.

“I ran the first and fourth leg with him from Durdiwarrah to Lal Lal Falls, Bunjil’s resting place,” she said.

“We ran in rain, wind, hills, slippery track, but seeing Country this way was beautiful.

“The pain we conquered was nothing when thinking of remote communities and countries around the world that do not have clean water to sustain life and health.

“What an inspirational leader Shaun is in our region to see him giving his all to raise awareness.”

Barwon Water also held staff walks in Geelong and Colac.

With fundraising open until November, Barwon Water and its staff have already raised $3382, easily surpassing its $2000 target.

For more information and to donate, head to fundraise.wateraid.org.au/event/walkforwater-2024/about-walk-for-water