Stuck for a Christmas present?

Are you really stuck wondering what to buy someone for Christmas when they say they have everything they need?

Naturally we want to do the best we can for our children and for our grandchildren but when it comes to adults, particularly the elderly, if they say they want for nothing and need something even less, why not give someone else a present on their behalf and completely change the lives of people without even the basics of clean water and proper toilet facilities?

There are many charities running Christmas gift schemes but there is nothing more basic than the need of a toilet and clean water. Water Aid can do something about it. Here is their Christmas Appeal which dropped in my in tray with a request to share it with friends:

Dear Mr Briton,

"All day we walk for water, morning and afternoon. It makes us so tired. But today was a wonderful day..."

This is how Ayelach's story from Lahyte, Ethiopia, begins. She recently gave birth to her second child Oytiba. Like every parent, she wants a happy and healthy future for her children.

But the reality is that without safe water nearby, baby Oytiba may not even survive his first year.

It doesn't have to be this way. Your Christmas gift of £50 could help to bring safe water from a borehole to the community. You can change Oytiba's life forever.

The people of Lahyte have suffered because of their community's remote location. The water here is incredibly deep down. We are able to use our knowledge and experience from working in other communities to bring safe water to Lahyte.

But we need to move quickly. The dry season starts in January, and then even the unsafe water sources will disappear.

Please give Ayelach's story the happy ending she so desperately needs by giving £50 this Christmas . You'll be helping to bring safe water to Lahyte, so children like Oytiba have the best chance of survival.

Thank you so much for all of your support this year, it really does mean the world to people like Ayelach. I'd like to wish you a happy Christmas and a healthy new year.

With warm regards,

Angharad McKenzie

Head of Supporter Development

WaterAid

Ayelach hopes the new year will bring safe, clean water for her and her baby Oytiba.

Credit: WaterAid/Anna Kari WaterAid - water charity

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WaterAid, 47-49 Durham Street,

London, SE11 5JD, UK.

E-mail: supportercare@wateraid.org

Website: www.wateraid.org