Brains and Charles Wells Tap into WaterAid
Two pub companies, with more than 500 pubs between them, are backing an industry drive to help deprived communities get access to clean water.
SA Brain of Cardiff and Bedford-based Charles Wells Pub Company are the latest to sign up to the Tap into WaterAid initiative.
The Publican-backed scheme is urging licensees to ask for a donation of 15p every time customers order tap water, which pubs are now obliged to provide free of charge.
The target is to raise £50,000 with the money all going to help communities in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region.
Philip Lay, retail director at Brains, said: "We're delighted to be supporting Wateraid and will be promoting it in our 118 managed pubs from June. The concept is such a simple one and we're confident that it will be well received by our customers."
And a spokeswoman for Charles Wells said they would be urging tenants to take part in the initiative.
"Our licensees operate many different styles of pubs but two things they all have in common are a genuine care for the community around them and a responsible approach to pub retailing," she said.
"The combination of these two elements in providing free tap water whilst raising money for a good cause is a natural step and we're encouraging all our licensees to get involved with the Tap into WaterAid scheme.
"We estimate that they already help raise over £100,000 for charity every year, so are sure that they'll get behind this simple but effective idea."
Cara Keane, WaterAid corporate account manager, said: "We are thrilled that Charles Wells and SA Brain have lent their support and shown such commitment to Tap into WaterAid.
"This is really big news for WaterAid, their participation will see a great boost to the campaign's income. We are very hopeful that this will inspire even more pubs across the country to get involved."
*For more information on how you can get involved visit www.thepublican.com/wateraid
