http://www.thirsty-planet.com/ What your site is all about. en-gb And now staff and visitors have helped to provide 38.5 million gallons of clean water for a community in the Rumphi district of Malawi through sales of Thirsty Planet charity water in The Deep’s cafe and restaurant which will pay for materials to build an Elephant pump. Catering manager Jean Garton, who selected Thirsty Planet for The Deep, said:_“As part of our environmental policy we buy locally-produced or Fairtrade products whenever we can. Not only is Thirsty Planet sourced in Harrogate, it has the added benefit of allowing us to help people who get by with very little. We’re very proud to know our pump will improve the lives of hundreds of people Our visitors are showing a keen interest in Thirsty Planet and we often overhear them discussing the issues it raises.”_ Wendy thompson Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:19:21 +0000 http://www.thirsty-planet.com/about/latest-news/water-water-everywhere http://www.thirsty-planet.com/about/latest-news/water-water-everywhere Thirsty Planet was launched in March 2007 by bottled water company Waterbrands to raise funds for Pump Aid. A fixed donation from every bottle of Thirsty Planet sold is pledged to Pump Aid to help fund clean water projects in rural Africa. Paul Martin, managing director of Waterbrands, said: “It’s fantastic that the judges have recognised the vital, often life-saving, work Pump Aid does in Africa and how important it is for Thirsty Planet to be backing them. In just two years we have established an excellent, unique partnership which has helped hundreds of thousands of people escape the daily misery caused by having no access to clean water. We are the only good-cause grocery brand that guarantees fixed donations for every sale of our product..” Pump Aid works in Africa building pumps and wells where there is no clean water supply, helping to improve sanitation and hygiene in rural communities in Zimbabwe and Malawi. The awards, which recognise outstanding work by charities and voluntary organisations, were held on Thursday, September 24, at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. There were 406 entries in 23 categories. Judges said the high number and quality of entries meant making it to the shortlist was an achievement in itself. Third Sector is the UK’s leading publication and website for people involved in the voluntary and not-for-profit sector. Wendy thompson Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:00:58 +0100 http://www.thirsty-planet.com/about/latest-news/partnership-highly-commended-at-sector-awards http://www.thirsty-planet.com/about/latest-news/partnership-highly-commended-at-sector-awards Paul Martin, managing director of Thirsty Planet, is thrilled with its success. “It took us two years to find a charity that fitted our brief when we were planning the launch of Thirsty Planet. But this fantastic achievement shows we made the right decision. “We have the utmost admiration for Pump Aid. From the start it impressed us with its cost-effectiveness and its method of working, particularly its sensitivity to cultural issues. We’re incredibly proud that together we are helping more than one million people in Zimbabwe and Malawi get on the first step out of poverty. “And of course we have to thank all our customers, consumers and suppliers who have given us such overwhelming support and helped to make Thirsty Planet the top-selling good-cause water brand.” Unlike other brands that claim they donate profits to charity, or run a promotion supporting a charity for a limited period of time, Thirsty Planet is unique in being the only grocery brand that guarantees a stated donation for every pack sold, for example 5p for every 500ml bottle, without limit of time. “Thirsty Planet is attracting a growing number of loyal consumers and customers who appreciate how easy it is to make a difference to someone’s life,” said Paul. “It’s available all over the UK and can be found in major supermarkets and a range of other outlets including Thomson and First Choice holiday flights, Chester Zoo, Hackney council, and dozens of schools and colleges.” International director of Pump Aid, Kathryn Llewellyn, thanked Thirsty Planet for its support saying, “The regular funding we receive from Thirsty Planet has helped us to accelerate our installation programme in Malawi and to keep going in Zimbabwe during the recent troubled times. We’d like to thank everyone who has ever bought a bottle of Thirsty Planet and assure them that every penny of their donation has been used wisely. There are still almost a billion people in the world without access to clean water so we still have a long way to go.” Paul Martin is pictured at Fewston Reservoir near Harrogate. Every three months donations generated by Thirsty Planet are providing this volume of water – 3.5 billion litres - to impoverished communities in southern Africa. Wendy thompson Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:58:26 +0100 http://www.thirsty-planet.com/about/latest-news/thirsty-planet-hits-1-million http://www.thirsty-planet.com/about/latest-news/thirsty-planet-hits-1-million Since March 2007 Thirsty Planet water has donated a stated amount to its charity partner Pump Aid for every bottle sold. The cash raised funds the installation of wells and water pumps in rural Zimbabwe and Malawi, providing communities with sustainable supplies of clean and disease-free water. It’s forecast that donations will top the £1 million mark before the end of August. Paul Martin, managing director of Waterbrand, commented “Pump Aid and Thirsty Planet have a unique partnership which has flourished in the two years since we joined forces. Thirsty Planet is the only good-cause grocery brand that guarantees a stated donation for every single pack sold. This transparency has gained the trust of customers and consumers who are giving Pump Aid and Thirsty Planet their loyal support. “We’re delighted our collaboration has been recognised as a great example of corporate partnership.” The award winners will be announced at a ceremony at the glitzy Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane on 24 September. Third Sector is the UK’s leading publication and web site for people involved in the voluntary and not-for-profit sector. Wendy thompson Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:38:08 +0100 http://www.thirsty-planet.com/about/latest-news/third-sector-excellence-awards http://www.thirsty-planet.com/about/latest-news/third-sector-excellence-awards The council has been buying Thirsty Planet water for the last two years. Cllr Sophie Linden, cabinet member for sustainability, said: “Hackney Council is committed to sustainability not only in the borough but also in the way the Council is run. This is an example of what can be done when organisations choose to buy goods from responsible sources.” Hackney became a Fairtrade borough last summer, after a two-year local campaign masterminded by the Hackney Fairtrade Group – a partnership of more than 60 residents, business people, and councillors. All tea, coffee, sugar and fruit juices provided at meetings are supplied by Fairtrade sources. As a result, many local schools, businesses, religious and community groups have all signed up to the principle of only buying ethically responsible goods. Paul Martin, managing director of Waterbrands, which owns Thirsty Planet, commented: “The support that Hackney Council is giving to Pump Aid is tremendous. “Simply by choosing Thirsty Planet it is helping improve day-to-day living and even save the lives of some of the poorest people in the world.” Wendy thompson Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:16:26 +0100 http://www.thirsty-planet.com/about/latest-news/fairtrade-hackney-funds-its-first-elephant-pump http://www.thirsty-planet.com/about/latest-news/fairtrade-hackney-funds-its-first-elephant-pump Zoo employees and visitors have already paid for Pump Aid to build 14 simple and cost-effective water pumps in rural Zimbabwe through the sale of Thirsty Planet bottled water in cafes and refreshment kiosks on the site. As water and sanitation systems break down in Zimbabwe, people have no alternative but to take water from polluted sources which has caused an epidemic of deadly cholera. Thousands have suffered serious illness and more than 4,000 people have died. “There’s never been a more urgent need for clean water in Zimbabwe and we’re delighted to make a contribution to such a worthwhile cause ,” said Martin Davies, head of catering, retail and events at Chester Zoo. “Our visitors are giving it fantastic support and are taking a keen interest in the work of Thirsty Planet and Pump Aid.” Win a grand day out at Chester Zoo! A family ticket for two adults and two children worth £50 is the prize in our latest competition. Just sign up for the Thirsty Planet newsletter and receive details of how to enter. *Competition* Just tell us the name of the award-winning musician who supports Thirsty Planet and Pump Aid. Send your answer with your name and e-mail address to info@thirsty-planet.com to arrive no later than 9am on 12 June. The winning entry will be chosen at random from the correct entries. The winner will be contacted by 30 June at the latest. Wendy thompson Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:33:12 +0100 http://www.thirsty-planet.com/about/latest-news/sign-up-for-our-newsletter-and-you-could-win-a-grand-day-out-at-chester-zoo http://www.thirsty-planet.com/about/latest-news/sign-up-for-our-newsletter-and-you-could-win-a-grand-day-out-at-chester-zoo