A Bradford-based charity which aims to bring safe drinking water to families in South American shanty towns is planning to launch a second project in Peru.

Water for Kids was set up by two Bradford Council environmental health officers and has already helped to pay for a protected well serving 1,200 people living in the squatter village Quebrada Verde.

Now it hopes to raise enough cash to install a second pump in neighbouring Manchay Bajo - a shanty town in the middle of the arid Lurin Valley.

David Clapham, who founded the charity three years ago with colleague Stewart Petrie, said: "We have already raised about £5,000 and the project to install the pumping system at Quebrada Verde is nearing completion.

"Our next challenge will be to raise enough money to pay for a similar project at Manchay Bajo. I am hoping to fly out to Peru early next year to speak to villagers.

"It is a much smaller settlement with only 40 or so families living there.''

The Lurin Valley is home to a string of small squatter settlements. Before the new well, families in Quebrada Verde - whose name translates as green valley - had no choice but to use contaminated water for cooking, bathing and drinking.

Mr Clapham said: "It is amazing to think that the conditions in Peru today are similar to those people in a city like Bradford would have had to put up with 150 years ago. Water comes from a polluted well and is carried by hand or on the back of a donkey to each shanty."

Water for Kids has pledged to cover the cost of raw materials needed to set up a safe water supply at Manchay Bajo and villagers have agreed to carry out the manual labour.

Anyone wanting to make a donation or stage a fundraising event is asked to contact Mr Clapham on Bradford 754191, or write to: Water for Kids, c/o Bradford Council, 3rd Floor, Central House, Forster Square, Bradford.

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