Charity Mark takes to the river to highlight needs of many

We’ve all heard the expression to come up the Clyde in a banana boat, but SCIAF's Mark Adams instead chose a paddle board to highlight his cause.

On World Water Day, Mark took to his SUP (stand up paddleboard) to show his support for SCIAF and communities around the world in need of clean water. 

Mark said:

“Water is life. Yet, for far too many in this day and age, it is dangerously scarce.   

“In Scotland we are blessed with some of the finest drinking water in the world. We drink as much as we want, we bathe in it, use it for cooking – all whenever we want. We take it for granted that it will always be there when we need it. But not everyone is so lucky.

“In Ethiopia, where I visited recently, far too many women, girls and boys still have to walk for hours every day under the scorching sun. For many young people, this means missed days at school, often getting sick from dirty water, and in some cases risk harm on their daily trip for water.”  

Thanks to the generosity of people across Scotland, SCIAF has been funding local organisations in Ethiopia to bring clean water to communities and help people help themselves out of poverty. 

Lent is 40 days of reflection, fasting, and prayer leading up to Easter. Each year generous Scots up and down the country give up a favourite treat such as coffee, chocolate, wine or crisps during Lent and put the money they save into a SCIAF WEE BOX.    

Supporters also hold fundraising events in their schools and parishes and take on personal challenges to raise money. They then donate whatever they raise at Easter to provide a hand-up to vulnerable communities worldwide, struggling to survive due to hunger, poverty, conflict and the climate emergency.     

Mark added:

“I enjoyed my paddle up the Clyde. I got some great encouragement from people along the way - that great Glasgow welcome! I hope people now understand what it was all about!”

This Lent, please use your WEE BOX to make a BIG CHANGE.

Your support can show young people around the world that a better world is possible – one where they can survive, thrive and flourish.