Airdrie woman to jump from skies to support communities in Malawi

Michelle Barbour, from Airdrie, will leap from the clouds in a parachute on August 29 to raise cash for WaterAid - a charity that works to bring clean water and toilets to people all over the world. 

Although it will be the first time the Scottish Water employee has ever completed a jump, she admits the thought of helping those in need of water during a pandemic is spurring her on.

She said: “I want to inspire others to go for it, do what they love or want to achieve - do something that makes you scared or takes you out your comfort zone. I want to encourage my Scottish Water colleagues and friends and family to help those in need and do something amazing for charity.

“I am jumping for water on August 29 and I’m so excited. Such a great cause and I’m achieving an activity that’s way out my comfort zone.

“WaterAid really does essential work for people to live a healthier and safer life. It’s lifechanging for people and communities.

"Water is one of life’s essentials that we often take for granted and that really does bring it in to perspective - by helping support communities in need, families and children, who desperately need safe water, toilet facilities and good hygiene."

And in lockdown, inspiring Michelle organised friends, colleagues and family to complete consecutive 5km runs over the course of five days.

She added: “During lockdown, I managed to get a group of colleagues, family and friends to complete 5k for five days in my local community and we all donated £5 on the Friday when we completed our challenge.

"This reached out to more people and created an impactful awareness for Water Aid and the work they do.

"This charity activity was throughout the lockdown last year and my aim was to get people moving and exercising through this tough time for all. I then went on to organise a charity giveaway with local businesses.”

WaterAid is marking its 40th anniversary this year and Scottish Water employees raise funds year-round to support projects in Malawi to reach villages, schools and hospitals including maternity units with clean water.

The projects also support the provision of decent toilets and good hygiene practices to ensure long-term health and prevent the spread of disease.

Elizabeth McKernan, WaterAid’s Partnership Manager, Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “Over the past 40 years, WaterAid has been making change happen on a global scale, and we simply could not do it alone.

"Since our foundation, our partners in Scotland and across the water sector have been providing vital funding and valuable expertise for our work around the world, and they remain at the heart of what we do.

“Now more than ever, we need to continue our life-changing work and do everything we can to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene a normal part of everyday life for everyone, everywhere. This is the year we must make change.

"In 2021, we’re tackling the double threat of COVID-19 and climate change to make sure that millions more around the world can rely on clean water, today and every day.

“We would like to thank Mechelle for taking on this amazing feat and for raising vital funds to support our work in Malawi. With support from the Scottish Government’s International Development Fund and amazing fundraisers like Mechelle we will be able to reach even more people with clean water and decent sanitation through our Deliver Life Malawi project.”