UNICEF NZ (UN Children’s Fund) Media Release Scientists convert water into gold for children’s charity Wellington, 26 February 2009.
– Christchurch scientists have come up with a winning formula to turn tap water into financial support for the UN Children’s Fund. ESR Scientist Elaine Moriarty says that a group of staff who volunteer for charitable water projects – called “WAiders” — heard about the Tap Project and decided to support it. As ESR water scientists, many of the WAiders group are invited to work alongside Pacific Island communities on projects which benefit the local communities by enhancing water quality management programmes. The WAiders sold water-filled balloons to their colleagues, along with the right to toss them at senior managers, including ESR chief executive officer John Hay. Balloons aimed at managers cost $2, but those destined for the CEO sold for a premium of $20 each.
Ms Moriarty says that about 80 staff took part in the light-hearted lunchtime event, which raised more than $500 for UNICEF.