Horbury & Ossett Phoenix Rotary Club hosted a visit on 23 September 2010 from Chris Freeman representing Water Aid, which is one of President Mike Bradley's selected Charities to receive donations from the Club during his Presidential year. Water Aid is an international non profit organisation dedicated to helping people escape the poverty and disease caused by living without safe water and sanitation. It was established by the UK water industry as a Charitable Trust in 1981, and 2010/11 sees the 25th anniversary of its partnership with Rotary in the British Isles. Since 1985 Rotary in the UK has raised over £2.7m to support Water Aid's work. Through these donations over 180,000 people have had their lives transformed by improved access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
Water Aid currently works in partnership with local organisations in 17 countries in Africa and Asia, and on its behalf Chris, after addressing the Club about the work of Water Aid, received a donation of £500 on its behalf from the Club, which President Mike is seen presenting.
The Rotary challenge for 2010/11 is to "build communities and bridge continents". In this spirit, donations to local Charities are also proposed.