Water AidOn Saturday 16 October 2010, thousands of people across the UK, and around the world, will be dancing for water at WaterAid’s third Big National Ceilidh.

A ceilidh is a fantastic social occasion anyone can join in with. The idea behind WaterAid’s Big National Ceilidh is that ceilidhs are organised up and down the country on the same night and, to unify them all, at 10pm everyone will be dancing the Circassian Circle – one of the simplest, best-loved and most inclusive of dances – to the tune of “Jamie Allen”.

Proceeds from the evenings will be donated to WaterAid, the charity that works throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific Region to ensure access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation. To date, WaterAid has helped over 13 million people gain access to these services.

The Big National Ceilidh was the brainwave of father and son David and Joey Oliver, of Hexham, Northumberland. Both involved with the folk scene, they wanted to bring the social and physical benefits of ceilidh-dancing to a wider audience, while raising money for a good cause. David is a prominent figure in folk music education and Joey is the whistle player in the BBC award-winning band 422. Funds raised through the previous two years’ ceilidhs are over £60,000.

David Oliver said: “We chose to support WaterAid because of the fantastic work it does, bringing a simple, major, permanent improvement to many people’s lives. We are thrilled that WaterAid have taken on the Big National Ceilidh and we hope that as a result, more and more people will go to ceilidhs and will think of them as wonderful, stimulating community events – and effective fundraisers too.”

Joey Oliver added: “Ceilidhs are something everyone can enjoy, and no experience is necessary. They are proven to be physically, mentally and socially healthy, so it will do us all a lot of good as well as the communities WaterAid work with.”

This year WaterAid are hoping even more people will feel inspired to organise a ceilidh, so that over a hundred events will take place on the night.

David and Joey, together with WaterAid, have created a step-by-step guide on how to organise your own ceilidh. To find out more, or to request a Big National Ceilidh pack, visit www.wateraid.org/ceilidh or call 020 7793 2245.

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