On Friday 21st May 2010, friends, family and supporters of Vicky's Water Project came together to celebrate the turning on of the taps in Lera Town.
Guests included over 100 members of Team VWP who, in 2007, became the largest group of friends and family ever to take part in the Great North Run and contributed over £500,000 to support this cause. They were joined by just a few of the thousands of donors and sponsors who have supported this project: some knew Vicky but many more were simply inspired by her story.
Earlier this month a small party of Vicky’s closest family visited Ethiopia for the official inauguration – they were met by thousands of community members who have worked on the project over the past three years.
Richard Turner, Director of Fundraising at ActionAid UK, thanked those in attendance. He said, "Vicky’s Water Project is the culmination of extraordinary efforts by people here in the UK raising funds in Vicky’s memory and in the community of Lera Town. Together you have worked overcome the obstacles that have prevented twenty thousand people from having access to fresh, clean water, and relieved the burden on women and children - empowering them to build a better future."
The driving force behind Vicky’s Water Project, Adam Chataway, also used the evening to remind everyone that the story continues, inviting them to continue their support of The Lera Town Fund and to come and see the result of their efforts by joining him at the Great Ethiopian Run this November.