Feel great and look fantastic in H&M’s wateraid bikini

Bikini buyers can feel great knowing that not only do they look fantastic in this beautifully designed and stunning item of beach-wear, but 10% of the money spent on this gorgeous two-piece will go directly to WaterAid.

‘We are delighted to be working with H&M for this our fifth WaterAid bikini’, says WaterAid’s Development Manager Corporate and Events, Clare Cain, ‘It’s a great way for women of all ages to help communities where WaterAid works to provide clean water and hygienic toilets. There are over one billion people living in the world today without access to clean, safe water, by buying the WaterAid bikini, H&M customers are making a very real difference to the lives of some of the poorest people in the world.’

The ‘Romantic Allover’ bikini hits the shops at the end of April. In vibrant floral print and embroidered with sequins, the flattering halter-neck design with supportive cups ranging from A-D is sure to get you noticed and is the conscience-free summer buy of 2006, priced at £9.99. The matching briefs feature a cheeky tie on the hip and costs just £6.99.

Ingrid Schullström, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at H&M, says: ‘H&M are very proud to support the charity WaterAid and the life changing work that they do. Water is fundamentally a women’s issue in the developing world, as it is mostly the women’s responsibility to provide water for the family and to care for those who fall ill. The partnership means a great deal to us, especially as WaterAid has projects in areas where some of H&M’s suppliers are located, and women working in factories producing for us may benefit directly from WaterAid’s work.’

Last year H&M contributed over £40,000.00 to WaterAid’s projects, enough to provide nearly 3000 people with a lasting supply of clean water and sanitation.

The H&M WaterAid bikini will be available in all H&M stores that have an underwear department. For more information about WaterAid, please visit www.wateraid.org.

For further information, samples, case studies and photos, please contact Lisa Martin at WaterAid on 020 7793 4524 or by email on lisamartin@wateraid.org.

To contact an H&M press officer please call Katarina Kempe on +46 8796 52 43 or e-mail katarina.kempe@hm.com.

Note to editors:
WaterAid is the UK’s leading charity providing safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people.

In 2006, WaterAid is celebrating 25 years of saving lives – simply by providing clean and safe water systems, sanitation and hygienic toilets to some of the world’s poorest people.

Key Facts:

• 1.1 billion people in the world do not have access to safe water
• 2.6 billion people in the world do not have access to a hygienic toilet
• The weight of water that women in developing countries carry on their heads is commonly 20 kg – the same as the average UK airport luggage allowance.