BPEC Charity Supports Two Overseas Water & Sanitation Projects for 2025

The BPEC Charity has provided one-off donations to two overseas initiatives delivering vital improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene across Africa. Each organisation has received £1,500 to support practical, on-the-ground work that aligns with our long-standing commitment to public health and plumbing education. These two programmes stood out for the direct, tangible impact they make in their communities.

Bansang Hospital Appeal – The Gambia

BPEC has a long relationship with the Bansang Hospital Appeal and its founder, Anita Smith MBE MRG. In 2014, BPEC representatives Neil Collishaw – CEO and Mark Antrobus – Trustee, visited the hospital to see and support the charity’s work first-hand, and we’ve continued to follow their progress closely.

The Bansang Hospital Appeal continues to demonstrate how targeted infrastructure investment can transform healthcare delivery in one of the most resource-challenged regions of The Gambia. In 2024 alone, the hospital’s Children’s Unit treated 2,673 young patients, many with life-threatening conditions where reliable water, sanitation, and clinical hygiene systems are essential. The new Intensive Care Unit will serve a catchment area of more than 600,000 people, and BPEC’s contribution towards plumbing materials directly supports the safe operation of this life-saving facility.

Village by Village – Ghana

Village by Village is an independent charity delivering hygiene, water and education projects across rural Ghana. Their work came to our attention through their links with the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, and following a productive meeting with founders Neil Kerfoot and Anna Kotsonouris, the trustees agreed the initiative was an excellent fit for our charitable aims.

Village by Village’s ‘Clean Water Saves Lives’ initiative has already delivered 36 school projects, reaching more than 9,000 children. Their gravity-fed systems, rainwater harvesting installations, and child-friendly handwashing stations significantly reduce waterborne disease and improve school attendance. Monitoring shows a 22% increase in handwashing and more than a 20% reduction in reported diarrhoeal illness in participating schools, clear evidence of the long-term public health benefits.

Neil Collishaw, BPEC CEO said “As a charity rooted in the plumbing industry, we’re always looking for ways to support projects that make a genuine difference through practical solutions. Both organisations share that ethos, and we’re pleased to help them continue their important work.”

Looking Ahead

The BPEC Charity’s trustees intend to concentrate funding on UK initiatives throughout 2026.   Please keep an eye out for our Charity updates next year.