A DISPLAY at Barnard Castle’s Christmas tree festival has led to the 56th toilet being twinned in town.
When members of Teesdale Trefoil Guild spotted a tree representing the toilet twinning initiative at St Mary’s Parish Church’s Christmas tree festival last year, they contacted local coordinator Ian Blake to find out more.
Since the toilet twinning initiative was set up in 2010 more than 158,000 toilets have been twinned in the UK, enabling about one million people to access proper sanitation. The scheme encourages people to donate £60 to fund the construction of a toilet in a poor community, providing families with access to clean water.
Nicola Walshaw, secretary of Teesdale Trefoil Guild, said: “We saw the Christmas tree at the festival and we asked Ian to come and give us a talk.”
Following the talk, the group, which meets once a month, decided to twin a toilet at the Brownie Guide Hut, in Birch Road. Jeanette Lawson, treasurer, said: “We usually give a donation to charity each year and we decided this year we would do the toilet twinning as it can make a big impact.” The group asked for the twinned toilet to be located in Afghanistan, which has fallen back under the control of the Taliban following the withdrawal of British and American troops last year.
Ms Walshaw added: “We felt that this country was, because of the conflict, the greatest in need.”
Mr Blake said: “This is the 56th twinning for Barney. We had quite a few people get in touch because of the festival and signed up for them as gifts for loved ones.”
