The countdown is on for the annual WaterAid NI Charity Ball, which will take place on Friday 6 November 2026 at Titanic Belfast, bringing together supporters from across Northern Ireland's water industry for an unforgettable country-style evening of fundraising in support of international charity WaterAid.
This year's "Boots & Ballgowns" themed event is organised by the WaterAid NI Committee, a dedicated group of volunteers from across the local water sector. Funds raised will support WaterAid's "Agents of Change" project in Rwanda, helping to improve access to clean water, sanitation services and hygiene education in schools, healthcare facilities and communities.
Dr Sara Venning, WaterAid NI President and CEO of NI Water, said:
"NI Water is incredibly proud of the work of the local WaterAid NI Committee and the ongoing support from companies and individuals across the water industry. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our sponsors and supporters, with particular appreciation to our Platinum Sponsor this year: Lowry.
"Along with decent toilets and good hygiene, a reliable supply of clean water is essential for health, dignity and a life full of opportunity.
“This year, guests can dust off their cowboy boots and don their finest ballgowns for a unique evening combining country charm with black-tie elegance. The event promises a host of fantastic entertainment, fundraising activities and superb prizes!
"Together, we can make a real and lasting difference by helping WaterAid to change the world through water. We look forward to welcoming guests to Titanic Belfast for what promises to be a fantastic fundraiser!"
Hosting the evening is top broadcaster, Rebecca McKinney from Cool FM who will lead a fabulous line up, including line dancing hosted by Country Fringe and fabulous music from country legend Robert Mizzell.
This year's Platinum Sponsor is Lowry.
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Gold Sponsors:
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Silver Sponsors:
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Ian Lowry, Director of Lowry added:
"As Lowry celebrates 50 years working in the water industry, we are delighted to support the WaterAid NI Charity Ball and the incredible work WaterAid is delivering in Rwanda.
"Over the past five decades, we have seen first-hand the vital role that clean water and sanitation play in protecting public health, supporting economic growth and improving quality of life and are proud of the role that Lowry plays in delivering high-quality infrastructure that supplies clean water across NI. While access to these services is often taken for granted by many of us, millions of people around the world still live without them.
"We are thrilled that this year's fundraising efforts will support WaterAid's 'Agents of Change' project in Rwanda. This exciting initiative empowers young people to become leaders and advocates for positive change within their schools, communities and beyond. Supporting this programme reflects our own commitment to building healthier communities and we look forward to joining hundreds of colleagues from across the industry on Friday 6th November to raise much-needed funds for this very worthwhile cause.”
Despite progress, significant challenges remain in Rwanda. Two in five people do not have clean water close to home, one in five do not have a decent toilet of their own, and four in five lack soap and/or water to wash their hands at home. 1
Last year's WaterAid NI Charity Ball raised more than £120,000 supporting WaterAid's mission to create a world where everyone, everywhere has access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
There are still tables and sponsorship opportunities available. If your company would like to find out more, please email SNI@wateraid.org for more information.
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Notes to Editors:
Further information please contact press.office@niwater.com
WaterAid
WaterAid is an international non-profit with one goal: to change the world through water. Along with decent toilets and good hygiene, a reliable supply of clean water is essential for health, dignity and a life full of opportunity.
We work alongside communities in 22 countries, setting up entire systems that deliver clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene for millions of people.
Since 1981, WaterAid UK and its Country Programmes have reached 28.9 million people with clean water, 29.2 million people with decent toilets and 28.7 million people with good hygiene.
For more information, please visit our website wateraid.org/uk, follow us on Bluesky @wateraid.bsky.social or find us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.
- 696 million people in the world – almost one in ten – don’t have clean water close to home.1
- 2.1 billion people in the world – more than one in four – don’t have safe water.1
- 1.7 billion people in the world – one in five – lack soap and/or water to wash their hands at home, if they have a place at all.1
- 1.5 billion people in the world – less than one in five – don’t have a decent toilet of their own.1
- Almost 400,000 children under five die every year due to diseases caused by unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene. That's more than 1,000 children a day. 2
- Investing in safely managed water, sanitation and hygiene services provides up to 21 times more value than it costs.3
- Worldwide, women and girls spend 200 million hours every day collecting water. 4
[1] WHO/UNICEF (2025). Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2024: special focus on inequalities. Available at: washdata.org/reports/jmp2025-wash-households (accessed 27 Aug 2025).
[2] WHO (2023). Burden of disease attributable to unsafe drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene: 2019 update. Available at: who.int/publications/i/item/9789240075610 (accessed 24 Jul 2023).
[3] WaterAid (2021). Mission-critical: Invest in water, sanitation and hygiene for a healthy and green economic recovery. Available at: washmatters.wateraid.org/publications/mission-critical-invest-water-sanitation-hygiene-healthy-green-recovery (accessed 1 Nov 2023).
[4] UNICEF (2016). Collecting water is often a colossal waste of time for women and girls. Available at: unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-collecting-water-often-colossal-waste-time-women-and-girls (accessed 09 Jan 2024).