All set for the big launch

Tomorrow we launch our brand new campaign - 'Are You Doing the Dirty?' which we are really excited about. The campaign will highlight to customers the problems that can be caused by disposing of items such as fats, oil, grease, nappies, wipes and cotton buds down sinks and toilets. Did you know that pouring just a little bit of fat down the sink on a regular basis could result in your pipe becoming blocked? With nowhere else to go you could be left with a nasty surprise when the waste water comes back up through your toilets and sinks and causes extensive damage to your home.

Helping us deliver the key messages to our key customers is property expert Sarah Beeny. Getting such a respected figure to spearhead the campaign is a real coup and we all can't wait to meet up with her for the first time tomorrow.

To get an exclusive preview of the campaign click here

We have a host of new initiatives planned in for the new year and the best place to find out about them is to follow this blog. We'd love to know what you think, so fire us your comments through.

Flying tomorrow - I'm so excited!

Well, I've just finished re-packing what was already packed and I'm now definitely ready to go! I've also been doing some more research on Bangladesh today, and have been shocked at some of the statistics I've read. There are 150 million people living in Bangladesh - it's one of the most overpopulated countries in the world. Only 36% of these people have access to clean water - what a thought! Arsenic in the water supply is a huge problem, along with fresh water supplies becoming unusable when the monsoon floods occur, as the fresh water becomes affected by salinity issues. I really want to find out how they deal with these sorts of issues whilst I'm there. It's also struck me how precarious the situation is in Bangladesh - if the sea level rises by 1 metre, then 20 million people will be displaced - that's equivalent to a third of our population suddenly having nowhere to live. It puts into perspective just how lucky we are in this country.

Well, I'm off to bed now, as I'm up early to catch the plan. I'll be blogging from Bangladesh when the internet connection allows, so keep reading and I'll keep you posted!

All packed and ready to roll

I spent last night packing ready for Saturday, so I'm now all ready to go. I was amazed that everything fitted in my rucksack - I thought I'de be squeezing it all in but it seems to fit quite comfortably, so I'm now wondering what I've forgotten! I've got a few last minute things to buy on a Friday before heading down South to stop off with family on my way to Heathrow, ready for Saturday's flight. It's only 5 days though so I keep reminding myself that I'm sure I can cope without most things for a few days!

We've had an email through from WaterAid today to let us know that the itinerary may change at the last minute, as on one of the days that we were due to travel internally, there is a day of national strikes planned by the main opposition party. It's made me think about Bangladesh's future quite a lot. WaterAid only works in politically stable countries, where they know that the money will go to those who need it, and Bangladesh is really fortunate that the local government and the NGOs (non gonverment organisations) work really closely together as they're more effective that way. But it's made me wonder what would happen if a different party came into power, and I think this is something I'll ask about when I'm over there. It puts in perspective politics in this country though - at least when the coalition came into effect this year, it didn't affect our access to clean water! Let's hope it will be the same in Bangladesh.

My itinerary has arrived!

My itinerary has turned up today and it's jam packed! As soon as we arrive we are straight into the thick of things. We fly from Saturday to Saturday and so that means that we're really making the most of our time there. On te Sunday afternoon when we arrive, we meet the WaterAid Bangladesh officials and learn more about their work out there. They also want to understand about how we fundraise back in the UK so I've been trying to get hold of some photos of events. Then on Monday, we're off to visit an urban slum in the city of Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. It's beginning to hit home now what I'm going to be doing and seeing - people around me at work are talking about meetings or plans for next week, and it's a surreal experience to decline an invite whilst thinking "I'll be in a slum whilst you're in that meeting"!

On Monday we then head to Khulna, a city in the south west of the country where we will be predominantly based, along with Koira, a rural village about 3 hours outside of Khulna. We're going to spend some time with a family in Koira, living their lives with them - chopping firewood, walking to collect water etc. This is the bit that I'm looking forward to the most I think, getting to see the reality of no clean water and no flushing toilet. I'm expecting it to be an eye-opening day! In Koira, we'll also be visiting a school, before visiting some rain water harvesting systems and pond filters in Shyamnagar and then heading back to Khulna to see some more urban settings. Once I'm back there, I'm going to help build a latrine - I better make sure I pack my muscles!

WaterAid Bangladesh trip

Hi everyone! I've been lucky enough to be selected to join the WaterAid Supporters' Visit to Bangladesh, and so wanted to keep everyone updated on what I'm up to whilst I'm out there. WaterAid works in some of the world's poorest countries to solve the lack of access to clean water and effective sanitation. The aim is that by seeing WaterAid's work in action - meeting people who are faced with the daily reality of not having what we take for granted everyday - then on my return I'll be able to use this first hand experience to help people understand how key their donations are and what a difference their money makes. I only found out in September that I was going, but the time has come round really quick, and I can't believe that I fly on Saturday!

I've spent the last few weeks having lots of vaccinations - I felt a bit like a pin cushion at times! I've also met the rest of the team who I'm travelling with at a Briefing day, as there are eleven of us from different water companies and the Environment Agency, as well as some supporting staff from WaterAid. They were all lovely, and I think we'll work really well as a group, supporting each other through the experiences and emotions that we're going to go through.

Do you care about what you flush down the loo or put down your sink?