Walking for water, riding for humanity: ARO and AFD unite Australia for clean water

Hundreds of volunteers across Australia walked and cycled in solidarity with children and families struggling to access safe drinking water. Organised by the Australian Relief Organisation (ARO) and Advocates for Dignity (AFD), the nationwide “Walk & Ride for Water” campaign brought together approximately 500 participants across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. The initiative aims to raise $60,000 to fund sustainable water wells in Africa and Asia and support a clean water project at a regional Australian school.

FOUR AUSTRALIAN CITIES UNITE FOR CLEAN WATER

Hundreds of Australians joined a nationwide humanitarian campaign on Sunday, 1 November 2026, walking and cycling to raise awareness of the challenges faced by communities without reliable access to safe drinking water.

The “Walk & Ride for Water” campaign, jointly organised by the Australian Relief Organisation (ARO) and Advocates for Dignity (AFD), brought together families, students, community leaders and volunteers from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Held simultaneously in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, the campaign attracted approximately 500 participants nationwide.

Participants took part in five-kilometre community walks and cycling routes of 10, 55 and 70 kilometres, depending on the city.

The campaign aimed to draw attention to the daily struggles of children in Africa and Asia who are forced to walk long distances to collect water, often from unsafe sources. Following the morning walks and cycling activities, participants gathered at Amity College’s Prestons campus for a community programme and breakfast.

FEDERAL MP ANN STANLEY: SUPPORTING PEOPLE IN NEED IS A HUMANITARIAN RESPONSIBILITY

In Sydney, approximately 100 people participated in the event, including families, children, cyclists and community volunteers.ARO Board Chair Dr Ma Wai Wai Myint, who delivered the opening address at the Sydney event, acknowledged the Traditional Owners of the land and paid respect to Australia’s First Nations peoples.

Highlighting the importance of community solidarity and access to clean drinking water, she thanked the volunteers for their support, saying, “Your presence here today, walking and cycling alongside us, demonstrates just how important this cause is.” ARO has helped establish more than 260 water wells, providing thousands of children and families, particularly in Africa and Asia, with access to safe drinking water.

Federal MP Ann Stanley attended the event alongside NSW State MP Nathan Hagarty, local councillors, educators, students and representatives of community organisations.

Addressing participants, Stanley emphasised the importance of clean drinking water for human health, education and quality of life.

She noted that while Australians generally have access to safe drinking water through their household taps, millions of people around the world continue to face serious difficulties obtaining this essential resource.

Stanley highlighted the humanitarian responsibility of helping those in need and acknowledged the volunteers who had gathered early in the morning to support communities they had never met.

She also commended the organisers and participants for their contribution to the campaign.

ARO PRESIDENT HIGHLIGHTS THE POWER OF COMMUNITY SOLIDARITY

The President of ARO opened the Sydney programme by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land and paying respect to Australia’s First Nations peoples.

In his address, he thanked participants for their commitment to the campaign and highlighted the importance of collective action in improving access to safe drinking water.

ARO has supported the construction of more than 260 water wells, providing thousands of children and families with access to clean water.

Children in some disadvantaged communities walk up to six kilometres each day to collect water, often at the expense of their education and wellbeing.

ARO’s water projects aim to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases, improve health outcomes and allow children to spend more time in school.

 

AFD CHAIR MEHMET SARAL THANKS VOLUNTEERS

AFD Board Chair Mehmet Saral also delivered a brief address during the Sydney programme.

Saral highlighted the importance of humanitarian assistance and community solidarity in responding to the needs of people facing water insecurity.

He thanked the volunteers and participants for supporting the initiative and contributing to the success of the nationwide campaign.

AFD worked alongside ARO in coordinating the activities, bringing together volunteers and supporters from different communities across Australia.

$60,000 FUNDRAISING TARGET FOR AFRICA, ASIA AND REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

The organisers set a fundraising target of $60,000 to support the construction of sustainable water wells in rural communities across Africa and Asia.

The campaign also aims to fund a clean water project at a regional school in Australia.

Access to safe drinking water can improve children’s health and educational opportunities while reducing the daily burden on families who must travel long distances to collect water.

The initiative reflects the organisations’ commitment to supporting vulnerable communities both internationally and within Australia.

CHILDREN LEARN ABOUT THE DAILY STRUGGLE FOR WATER

Alongside the walking and cycling activities, the campaign included family-oriented educational initiatives designed to raise awareness of water scarcity.

One of the activities was the “Water Bucket Challenge”, in which children carried small buckets of water to gain a better understanding of the physical effort required by children living without nearby water supplies.

The organisers sought to encourage younger generations to develop a greater appreciation of clean water and the importance of compassion, volunteering and social responsibility.

Schools, families and community organisations played an important role in supporting the nationwide initiative.

A MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE WORLD

By combining physical activity, fundraising and community engagement, the “Walk & Ride for Water” campaign brought together Australians from different backgrounds in support of a shared humanitarian cause.

The simultaneous events across four major cities demonstrated the contribution of multicultural communities and volunteers to international relief efforts.

Through the campaign, ARO and AFD aim to help improve access to safe drinking water for children and families in Africa and Asia, while also supporting a regional Australian school.

The nationwide initiative highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges: access to safe drinking water.ZAMAN Australia