Businesses dig deep to raise cash for WaterAid.

KIND-HEARTED people from across the region have saved thousands of lives in the developing world. Northumbrian Water organised three events for its adopted international charity, WaterAid, which were backed by businesses and individuals.

WaterAid provides clean drinking water, safe sanitation and hygiene education for people in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region.

Regional businesses supporting WaterAid include New Century Enterprises, Billingham, Rocket Science/Click Squared, Middlesbrough, Seymour (Civil Engineering) Limited, Hartlepool, JN Bentley Limited and Lumsden & Carroll Construction, Durham, Fastflow Pipeline Services Ltd, Washington, Gowland & Dawson and Leighton Group, Sunderland, UTS Engineering Ltd, Jarrow, Byzak Ltd and United Carlton Office Systems Ltd, Gateshead, NCJ Media, NHS Strategic Health Authority, Blumilk, Black & Veatch, and MWH, Newcastle upon Tyne, Labtec (Services) Ltd, Blyth.

A seventies-themed ball, race day and night encouraged businesses and individuals to dig deep and raise pounds 40,000 which will help save 2,666 lives - it costs pounds 15 to provide these basic human rights to someone for life.

250 people attended the ball at the Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel, Newcastle.

Wigs, flares and brightly coloured go-go boots were worn by some partygoers.

Alan Fittes, Northumbrian Water's contract operations manager, went home with a new set of wheels after winning a Vespa scooter.

Ingrid Wolfe, from Durham who was a guest at the ball and won the 'best dressed' prize with her husband Dave, said: "It is a pleasure to support WaterAid which changes peoples' lives forever. I find it humbling the charity provides things we take for granted, so easily, every day. We had a great night and to have such fun while helping others in so much need was great!" The race day, at Newcastle's Gosforth Park, was enjoyed by more than 200 people and 370 guests gambled at a race night held at the Newcastle Civic Centre, where past races were shown on a huge screen.

John Mowbray, chairman for WaterAid Northumbria, said: "I would especially like to thank the businesses and individuals that give WaterAid support though our partnership schemes and also those who attend events. The funds raised make a huge difference to peoples' lives - something I have seen first hand in Africa.

"It is beyond belief that in this day and age 4,000 children will die, today, from diarrhoea caused by unclean water and poor sanitation or that one in eight people in the world don''t have access to clean, safe water. Events like our ball and race day are changing this slowly, but surely."

For information, tel: [phone], email [e-mail], or log on to www.nlw.co.uk/WaterAid.aspx.

CAPTION(S):

HAVING A BALL left to right, Ingrid Wolfe, Alan Fittes and Dave Wolfe.