Water Challenge in March


Water Challenge in March

Water Challenge in March

Model and social influencer Elyse Knowles has become WaterAid's Events Ambassador and will take part in the Water Challenge in March, drinking water as her only beverage for a month to support the world's poorest people to gain access to safe water, while encouraging Australians to improve their health.  

Elyse Knowles is the face of beauty brand Ulta3 and footwear brand Emu Australia, she has her own apparel brand Evrryday, regular campaigns with Myer, Bras & Things and Billabong, a portfolio of leading brands including Myer, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Jo Mercer and Polo Ralph Lauren, and over half a million followers on Instagram. 

Elyse has always had an interest in contributing to society and helping communities in developing countries. This is her first charity ambassador role and she believes that no one should live without access to water and toilets. 'A big part of my lifestyle is keeping fit, healthy and happy. Having access to clean water makes this possible so I'm keen to do my part to make sure that everyone else has the same access to a happy and hygienic life," said Elyse.  

'To know that 650 million people are living without safe water and 1 in 3 people live without a decent toilet seems unacceptable to me. I feel that many of us can get so stressed about the small things in our everyday lives, when there are people in the world that are in desperate need of basic essentials that we need to support," said Elyse.
 
'I believe that many of the things we take for granted are things that are very much needed by other people in the world. Every time I pick up a glass of clean water, flush the toilet or wash my hands I feel very grateful to be able to do so. This in turn gives me the drive to want to make the lives of others easier, more hygienic and more enjoyable by giving them these elements too."  

An expert in living a healthy lifestyle and ready to take on any challenge, this March Elyse will undertake WaterAid's Water Challenge. Elyse will drink just water for 30 days in support of WaterAid and the millions of people around the world without access to safe water. 
'I will be drinking only water for the whole month of March. I actually don't drink much else apart from water and herbal tea, but it might be a bit more difficult when a social event pops up and alcohol isn't allowed, although I will not care at all! People will ask me why I am only drinking water, and I actually can't wait to tell them. Hopefully it will make them think about how they can be involved with WaterAid's work," said Elyse. 

'By choosing to drink only water or walking 10,000 steps a day you will improve your health, cut down on unnecessary sugar in common drinks and provide lifesaving safe water to people in need," said Elyse. 

The Water Challenge is WaterAid's annual fundraising event in March, coinciding with World Water Day on 22 March. The Water Challenge is free to enter and there are several ways you can get involved: 

Drink Just Water by challenging yourself to make just water your only beverage for 14 or 30 days in March 2017. 
Walk for Water by walking or running 10,000 steps a day from 20-24 March 2017.
The Water Challenge aims to raise awareness of the global inequality for access to safe water sources in developing nations. One in ten people do not have access to safe, clean water, and many women and children waste hours each day walking to collect water. Safe water and sanitation underpin health, education and livelihoods, yet millions of people across the world live without these basic human rights.

Fundraising from WaterAid's Water Challenge will go towards working with local partners to set up practical and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene solutions that meet the real needs of our near neighbours in Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and Cambodia.

To get involved and find out more please visit: www.waterchallenge.org.au 

WaterAid's vision is of a world where everyone, everywhere has safe water, sanitation and hygiene. The international organisation works in countries across Africa, Asia, Central America and the Pacific region to transform lives by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene in some of the world's poorest communities. Since 1981, WaterAid has reached 24 million people with safe water and, since 2004, 24 million people with sanitation. For more information, visit: www.wateraid.org/au

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