About us

Who are we?

WaterAid West Surrey was born over a cup of tea one dull autumn morning in 2009 (originally as Guildford WaterAid group). Since then, we have grown to some 30 members in towns and villages across all of West Surrey and beyond. We come from a variety of backgrounds and age groups, but we are all committed to promoting WaterAid and its work.

Preparing for Walk for Water

Photo copyright Paul Jolley

How we operate

We are a friendly, informal group. Members choose what they want to lead, support or attend; no one is expected to support everything that goes on. Currently, we meet as necessary to organise specific events. For example, the months leading up to our annual walk often see small groups meeting to sort their tasks; we meet at our events and a couple of times a year to review and plan ahead. . We are always pleased to see new members: you will get a friendly and informal welcome. To get a flavour of what we do have a look at Events & Money Raised.

Getting inspiration

This is Jan Eliasson, United Nations Deputy General Secretary. He is former Chair of WaterAid in Sweden, former Swedish Foreign Minister and former President of the UN General Assembly. He has a simple message on providing water and sanitation in the developing world: "No-one can do everything, but everyone can do something."

Photo credit: Thomas Henrikson/SIWI

What do we do?

WaterAid West Surrey has three key functions in support of WaterAid:

    • fundraising

    • raising awareness

    • campaigning

Fundraising As little as £24 can provide the initial supply of clean safe water to one person in the developing world. Every £24 we raise can start someone on the path out of poverty.

We have several local fundraising events throughout the year. Visit our Upcoming Events page to see upcoming activities and Events & Money Raised to see what we have achieved and the money raised over the last year.

Some of our members who sell on ebay donate part or all of the proceeds to WaterAid. When listing you can chose to donate between 10% and 100% of the sale and that proportion of the seller's fees are remitted back to you.

Awareness Our volunteer speakers are trained to give inspiring and informative talks on WaterAid to local groups. Rather unusually all the trained speakers in this area have first hand experience of water and sanitation issues in the developing world. This knowlege really brings their talks to life.

Campaigning We support campaigns for water, sanitation and hygiene education through displays, letters and lobbying.

This is Linda, group coordinator, on her way in to the House of Lords to address a meeting of peers, MPs and WaterAid supporters about the importance of political support for Water Sanitation and Hygiene around the world.World Water Day March 2014

Photo copyright WaterAid West Surrey

Find out more / Get involved

If you would like to find out more about West Surrey Local Support Group for WaterAid why not contact us ?

If you want to get involved why not join in one of our local events as a participant or help with organisation? There are all sorts of roles. Please look at Events & Money Raised to see the sort of thing we do. Look at Upcoming Events to see what we currently have planned. You will be assured of a warm welcome and no pressure to do any more than you wish.

Please use our Contact us page to get in touch.

National WaterAid organised events

WaterAid's National Events Team organises volunteers to join in a whole range of fundraising and awareness raising events throughout the year. Examples include:

Running events:

London Marathon

Edinburgh Marathon Festival

Vitality London 10,000

Great North Run

Berlin Marathon

Paris Marathon

Brighton Half Marathon

Royal Parks Half Marathon

Tough Sh!t 10k obstacle mud run

Cycling - Prudential Ride London/Surrey 100

Mountain Challenge

Volunteering at Glastonbury and several other festivals.

To find find more events and look for dates and details click here.


Message from WaterAid's former Chief Executive to all supporters of West Surrey Local Group

"Thank-you so much for all you do in campaigning, fundraising

"Thank-you so much for all you do in campaigning, fundraising and raising awareness. Keep up your fabulous work which helps us and our local partners transform lives through drinking water, good hygiene and sanitation.

Thank-you for all you do - we are so appreciative.

Best wishes

Dame Barbara Frost Former Chief Executive WaterAid”

October 2013