By joining the campaign, the Arup team members committed to walk 10,000 steps a day for five days to raise much needed funds for WaterAid – a charity organization that transforms lives by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene in the world’s poorest communities; including our neighbors in Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.

Collectively Arup staff from the Australasia region raised $2,979.48 and Arup matched this amount from its Community Engagement fund, an approximate total of $6K that Arup and its staff donated to WaterAid this. The event has been a huge success as evident from the amount of funds raised and the number of active participants as well as support from the wider Arup community who generously donated for this great cause.

Below are a few quotes from some of the participants sharing their experience of participation in the Walk for Water event:

“Nelson Mandela once said ‘let there be work, bread, water and salt for all’ – a simple, yet powerful message that it is still relevant in the 21st century. When I learned Arup was supporting the Walk 4 Water campaign, I enthusiastically joined the team to show my support for this extremely worthwhile cause. My journey to walk 10,000 steps a day was a great reminder of how easy it is to take water for granted and to reflect on those less fortunate. If in some small way, we have helped to improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene for the developing world, than every step was worthwhile!"”

“Walking 10,000 steps per day for Walk 4 Water was really great. It gave me a real appreciation of how far some people have to walk on a daily basis just to have access to something that I can get in 20 steps. I walked either by myself or with my friends or partner and I posted each day on Facebook to gain donations. Everyone was really happy to help and I personally raised $230. I will make Walk 4 Water a yearly event!” 

“I really enjoyed my time walking. I had this competition with myself with walking further and further each day according to the trusty pedometer I clocked up 114,980 steps, which was plenty of time to think about those less fortunate than myself not only walking but having to carry water back without tripping or anything. Everyone that knew I was doing this were so supportive and encouraging which inspired me to want to walk more. Lesson learnt: not to sing out loud with headphones on, there are other people around that just pop out of nowhere laughing.”