Hi!

I'm volunteering for UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund ) NZ at the moment, helping to spread the word about their month-long Tap Project, which launched yesterday. It runs until 9 April all around NZ, with World Water day on 22 March.

NZ is really lucky to have easy access to clean drinking water, whilst a massive 5,000 children die every day around the world due to water-related diseases. The good news is that the Tap Project offers a really easy way for anyone in NZ to make a life-saving contribution, however small. Just $1 can provide a child with safe drinking water for 30 days.

**The idea is really simple**: when you visit a participating restaurant or cafe, just pay $1 or more for your usual glass of tap water - something we all take for granted. The money collected will go to UNICEF projects, providing safe drinking water for those in need. This year the money will go to specific projects in Laos.

Help us out by spreading the word. There are five easy ways to get involved:

1. Dine out or have a coffee at participating establishments and make a donation whilst there – all venues listed at www.tapproject.org.nz/restaurants.html

2.Make a donation online at www.tapproject.org.nz or by texting TAP to 833 ($3 automatic donation)

3. Join the Facebook group and help spread the word about the Tap Project http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11175254404  

4.Get schools or workplaces involved, through water-themed events or activities. Free education resources are available to download at www.tapproject.org.nz

5. Come to our events!

• On World Water Day - Sunday 22 March, local councillors will join a water challenge to coincide with Wellington’s dragon boat festival.

• On Sunday 5 April, an attempt will be made in Auckland to break the Guinness World Record for the largest ever simultaneous squirting of water pistols.