Geography students raise money for Wells for India

First year Geography students organised a Christmas Fair on campus to raise money for Wells for India. They learned about the work of the charity as part of their Sustainable Development module. Classes  helped the students to understand about various ways of enhancing water access and water quality in dryland environments, and to think critically about the sustainability of development projects.


The event included festive games, such as ‘pin the nose on Rudolph’ and ‘where in the world is Santa’. There was also a bottle tombola, guess the name of the teddy, guess the number of sweets in a jar, and home-made Christmas cards for sale.

Festive games included 'pin the nose on Rudolph'

Guess the name of the teddy was a popular game

Students and staff had an opportunity to get a selfie with Santa too!

The students raised £136.19.

Geography students raise money for Wells for India

First year Geography students have been raising money for Wells for India.  The charity works with the poorest dryland communities in India, helping to secure access to safe water.

Senior Lecturer Dr Kevin Cook is a Trustee of the charity.  Kevin introduced the students to the work of the charity, and showed how charity's projects align with topics covered in class.

Caroline, Asifa, Georgia and Sarah looked after the stall in the morning.
Others helped out later in the day.

To raise money for the charity, the students ran a chocolate stall and an Easter egg raffle.

Staff, students and visitors to the library were given chocolate in return for a donation to the charity.

Students raise money for Wells for India

First year geographers have organised a range of events to raise funds for Wells for India.  This charity (of which our very own Dr Kevin Cook is a trustee) works in some of the poorest rural communities in the drylands of India, providing water harvesting technology and supporting a variety of community programmes.  The students’ fundraising activities were inspired by a guest lecture given by the India Director, Om Prakesh Sharma, who visited the University earlier in the year.

Om Prakesh Sharma and Dr Kevin Cook

Activities included a cake sale, a sponsored silence, bag-packing at the local ASDA supermarket, and a tournament held at Game.

A successful Christmas-themed cake sale was held

A total of £654 was raised.  This money will be used to provide bio-sand filters to some of the poorest households in Rajasthan.  These simple, eco-friendly tools purify water, helping to prevent water-borne illnesses.