IPSWICH's Christian Aid group is raising money to help the world's poorest people get safe drinking water and today are calling for your help.The Ipswich group has just come on board the Water Aid project, which is supported by branches across the country and is designed to prevent the numbers of people dying from water-borne diseases in Ethiopia.

IPSWICH's Christian Aid group is raising money to help the world's poorest people get safe drinking water and today are calling for your help.

The Ipswich group has just come on board the Water Aid project, which is supported by branches across the country and is designed to prevent the numbers of people dying from water-borne diseases in Ethiopia. All the money raised from events over the next 15 months will be quadrupled by the European Union.

The hope is to raise �5,000 before it is quadrupled.

Wondayehu Gedamu, co-ordinator of Water Aid visited Ipswich from his home country of Ethiopia to launch the project in the town.

He said: “Some people are forced to walk 3km, carrying 20 litres of water on their back. The water source is very limited and very far from their settlement. The wells there are not properly protected.

“There is a high mortality rate, particularly among children under ten. This project will really help to change the lives of thousands of people who are suffering from a shortage of water. Already we have been able to construct springs so that water is nearer for them to collect and safe to drink.”

The project aims to helps people in 12 villages based in the south of Ethiopia, which are particularly struggling. By building small reservoirs, laying pipes, capping wells and planting trees, it is hoped around 55,000 people will benefit.

Eldred Willey, initiatives co-ordinator at Christian Aid, said: “As the local people on the ground in Ethiopia have so much knowledge, they know how to make this project work.

“Ipswich has just come on board and we are hoping people give their support to this.”

The first big fundraising event in Ipswich for this cause will be a Monopoly Sponsored Walk around the town, starting and finishing at Christ Church in Tacket Street. This will involve stopping at ten of the sites mentioned on the board, anytime between 10am and 3pm, on Saturday, April 25. To take part, either call 01473 462566 or e-mail mkleissner@btinternet.com.

If you want to help out the project in any way call Eldred Willey on 01603 620051 or e-mail ewilley@christian-aid.org.

Do you support a cause that is close to your heart? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.