WaterAid announces media partnership with The Publican

WaterAid is pleased to announce the launch today of a media partnership with The Publican, the UK’s weekly pub and bar industry newspaper, in support of their fundraising initiative Tap into WaterAid.

Over 100 establishments currently take part in Tap into WaterAid, in which pubs, restaurants and cafés encourage their customers to make a small donation to WaterAid when they order tap water.

The suggested donation is 15 pence for a glass or jug of tap water, which is either added to the customer’s bill or collected in money boxes. All money raised goes towards WaterAid’s life-saving work helping communities gain access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific region.

Under the government’s new mandatory code for the industry, pubs will be forced to provide patrons with free tap water, taking effect on April 6, 2010.

Matt Eley, Deputy Editor of The Publican, said. "The Publican is very proud to be supporting Tap into WaterAid to help raise funds for the 884 million people around the world without access to safe, clean water.

"We are launching the partnership to coincide with the new drinks law," explains Matt. "We hope that licensees across the UK will see this as an easy, cost-free way to put a positive spin on the code and be inspired to get involved today."

The media partnership, which runs from April 2010-2011, aims to raise £50,000 for WaterAid. Kent-based brewers Shepherd Neame have already confirmed they will be inviting their tenancies to join Tap into WaterAid.

WaterAid’s Corporate Account Manager Cara Keane said: "We are absolutely delighted to have The Publican’s support for Tap into WaterAid and are overwhelmed by their commitment to its success. It costs just £15 for WaterAid to bring safe water, sanitation and hygiene education to someone in poverty, so the momentum we could create with the help of The Publican could literally change lives. Water is life – there’s no question of that – choose to Tap into WaterAid."

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For high-resolution stills, footage or to arrange an interview, please contact: Brenda McIlwraith at WaterAid on brendamcilwraith@wateraid.org or call 020 7793 2245.