We think nothing of turning on a tap in our home to have a drink of water or take a bath.

But for 783 million people across the globe – roughly one in ten of the world’s population – having such easy access to a supply of clean, fresh water is the stuff of dreams.

A further 2.5 billion people – almost two-fifths of the Earth’s population – do not have access to adequate sanitation.

That is why, every year, staff and customers at Yorkshire Water climb mountains, walk miles and cycle across the country.

They also hold many other, less energetic events such as rounds of golf, quizzes and balls. These activities, along with a customer appeal, have raised £3 million in the past decade to help bring a safe water supply and sanitation to millions of people in developing countries. Their efforts have helped the charity WaterAid to work with local communities to provide access to safe water and sanitation.

Some members of staff have travelled to see these life-changing results for themselves. Yorkshire Water management accountant Dave McGlinchey visited Uganda. “What first struck me was the quality of water supply in the cities,” he say. “You would imagine it to be particularly bad in rural areas, but this was in the heart of the capital, Kampala.

“In a shanty town, people were living in mud huts and shack-built houses on the side of a hill, with one water point for up to 1,000 people. We arrived at 5.30am and already children were queueing to fill jerry cans.

“We saw families clearing out their homes after water and sewage swept down the hill during a flood – there is no proper drainage system.”

“This is an area of Kampala into which WaterAid is moving,” explains Dave, who was shown a newly-built water point and toilet block within the settlement. “The community is so proud of the facility, and it has a manager. Working members of the community contribute a small amount towards its upkeep and manage access.

“The important thing for WaterAid is that we are working with communities,” says Dave, who also serves as vice chairman of the international charity in Yorkshire.

“We don’t go out and build for people – we support them as they do it,” he says. “They decide the location, and we give them training.”

WaterAid project teams show local people how to build and care for the pumps. “This gives sustainability to the process.”

Projects can range from one pump to larger water supply and drainage systems.

The charity was formed 31 years ago when several water companies, including Yorkshire Water, got together in response to challenges issued by the United Nations to help make a difference to water and sanitation across the world’s poorest communities.

“The water companies were responsible for getting water supplies to people in this country, so they thought it would be good to provide the knowledge, skills and energy of their employees to help those in other parts of the world,” says Dave.

The charity has grown vastly over the years. In the first year, money raised and given by the UN and Government totalled £250,000 – that figure has rocketed to £47 million.

Across the world, 27 countries are involved, mainly in Africa and Asia. Yorkshire Water has three nominated countries – Malawi, Bangladesh and Napal, to which they provide direct funding.

“It has been a great success,” says Dave, “We now raise around £250,000 a year in Yorkshire and my goal is to double that.”

Earlier this year, two teams of YW staff completed WA’s annual six peaks climbing event, tackling the highest mountains in the UK. Future plans include getting more businesses and members of the public involved. Next month, a walk along the Yorkshire coast will be held, to which the public are invited.

“We are trying to get more people to raise money. Just £15 is enough to give one person sufficient clean water and sanitation and health education for the whole of their lives,” says Dave. “You see people walking for 40 minutes for water and then carrying it back, and children collecting water next to open sewers. More children die from diarrhoea from dirty water than from AIDS and malaria put together. We don't realise how lucky we are.”

For details, or to fundraise, contact david.mcglinchey@yorkshirewater.co.uk , or visit wateraid.org/uk.