Discover why Clare Hyde and Kath Molyneux are preparing for a six mile (socially distanced) water walk

Clare Hyde and Kath Molyneux will walk the six miles to Longridge and back to highlight the plight of those who struggle to get clean water.

They will share the task of carrying water containers and hope the public will support their water walk JustGiving appeal, with proceeds going to Christian Aid.

Clare from Knowle Green, near Preston said: "We’re planning doing the walk from Knowle Green on Wednesday May 13, in the middle of Christian Aid Week. My friend, Kath, from Hurst Green, offered to accompany me on the walk to show support, which is lovely. We’ll, obviously, observe social distancing protocol."

Both women are members of St John’s Church, Hurst Green which has supported Christian Aid for many years.

Clare said: "We didn’t see any reason why this year should be different, as the issues of poverty and injustice still need addressing. The walk isn’t a sponsored event ......six miles is not a great distance for either of us, although carrying full containers of water is way beyond us. We just wanted to highlight the issue of water and what some people have to do to access it. We are thankful of any amount that people want to donate."

She said she was inspired to draw attention to the need to be able to access readily available supplies of clean water after reading about how Rose Jonathan and her family in Kenya have been affected by drought following climate change. There has been no rain where they live for two years and the rivers are dry and each day Rose has to walk for six hours to the nearest river to collect water.

Clare added: "This global (Coronavirus) pandemic has highlighted for us, in the western world, who are our key workers - those people who hold together the fabric of our society ... doctors , nurses, teachers, cleaners , carers, shopkeepers and utility workers. We take for granted that the lights switch on at night and water flows from our taps."

*To donate see: justgiving.com/fundraising/water-walk

* Last year Clare walked from Clitheroe to the nearest maternity care centre in Blackburn to turn the spotlight on the distance women in Sierra Leone, often in labour, have to walk to access maternity care.