108 employees from Bradford-based parent company of Yorkshire (Kelda Group) ran 10km to raise money for WaterAid on Sunday 25th September.

The 10km run, which was set up four years ago to raise money for WaterAid, has now been added to the Kelda calendar as an annual event. WaterAid celebrated its 35th birthday in July.

Since launching back in 1981, WaterAid has really taken off and has become a prestigious independent charity with the aim of improving safe water and sanitation access across the globe. Customers, partners and staff of Yorkshire Water have helped raise more than £5 million over the 35 years during which the company has supported the international charity.

The company’s beautiful reservoir sites play host to the run that takes place each year and this year was no different. The employees, contractors, friends and family who participated completed the 10km course around Huddersfield’s Scammonden Reservoir.

After it had some major improvements recently done to it, this reservoir is now considered to be one of Yorkshire Water’s most popular. It boasts well surfaced paths which provide a pleasant place for a walk or run, although there are some steep inclines to contend with along the route. There are lots of beautiful views to take in over Scammonden Valley and the root covers some rough pastures and woodlands as well.

Simon Wright and Rebecca Helm emerged as the winners of the race, with a completion time of 34.59 minutes and 45.58 minutes for the men’s and ladies positions respectively.

Race organiser Sarah Wardman said “We were delighted with the number of entrants we received and we raised £5,500 from this race alone. I must thank our volunteers who made the race possible. More than 650 million people in the world live without safe water which proves just how vital WaterAid is. Our colleagues, partner organisations, friends and family are always keen to get involved to support WaterAid however we can.”

WaterAid is an international organisation operating in 37 countries across the world to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in some of the world’s poorest communities.  Since 1981, WaterAid has reached 23 million people with safe water and, since 2004, 21 million people with sanitation.