Mum Gillian Sanders from Corsham has returned home from a week-long trip to Uganda experiencing what life is like without running water.

As part of a charity trip the 46-year-old from Katherine Park, who raises money for WaterAid, saw the difference the money is making during an “unforgettable” visit to the country with the international development charity.

Mrs Sanders, who is a planning liaison engineer for Wessex Water in Bath, joined 13 fundraisers from other water companies to visit the rural villages of Ojolai and Bobol.

She spent time with 26-year-old Serina Aludo, and her family, living without clean water and a toilet and learnt about their daily challenges.

She said: “In Ojolai, I helped Sarina to collect the water from the well – it was basically a pond, totally disease-ridden, milky-looking with turtles in it. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“The weight of the jerry cans also shocked me, I could barely even lift it. The mums and children make the gruelling trip to collect this water up to six times a day, in the searing heat. Imagine trying to carry 20kg on your head, whilst also carrying a baby and bringing a toddler with you.”

Mrs Sanders also visited WaterAid projects in the flooded urban slums of Kampala, and in rural communities, to see how the money raised locally by the company’s employees is changing lives.

The team then spent time with children from three primary schools, joining in with hygiene lessons, and learning how clean water helps save lives.

Mrs Sanders added: “We visited Bobol Primary School. This one had access to water, and the children were happier, educated about hygiene. The difference in the children was incredible.

“I’ve now seen how WaterAid spends the money we’ve raised. It’s not only about taps and toilets – the projects can help communities take control of their rights, and access resources they are entitled to.”