Vicky's Water Project

On 17th October 2006, Vicky was killed by a lorry whilst bicycling to work. She is loved dearly by so many and her loss leaves a huge void. In the face of this, through the enthusiasm and goodwill of so many, the idea of Vicky’s Water Project came about in the hope that something positive could spring from our loss.

Vicky left us with many things and one was the knowledge of what would represent a fitting legacy in her memory. While at Newcastle University studying for a geography degree and then an M Phil in Water Development, she spent many months in Ethiopia and South Africa. Therefore it seemed right to identify a cause within the area for which she had such a passion.

Our hope was to find one clearly defined practical project that would give all its supporters a clear sense of ownership and that would leave a really worthwhile long term legacy.

While preparing her dissertation in 1999 Vicky worked with ActionAid on a water project providing clean running water to Dalocha in Ethiopia and we have worked with ActionAid to identify a similar Ethiopian venture that Vicky’s Water Project could support.

At a cost of £115,000 clean water can be brought to some 10,000 people in Lera and Demala Town and the infrastructure will be laid to reach many more as funds become available. If, as we hope, £226,000 can be raised, the entire project can be completed and the lives of nearly 20,000 human beings will be transformed for the better.

On the day that Vicky was killed she was carrying £10.88 and these were the very first funds paid into Vicky’s Water Project. On these foundations it is the intention of Vicky’s family, friends and supporters to write a new chapter in her life.