Andrew Jones is heading back to Uganda for the second time after visiting last year to treat burns patients and giving talks on fire prevention. On behalf of the Mityana Commuinity Development Foundation (Uganda) Andrew took three weeks out from his job at Morriston hospital to support their efforts promoting the importance of health in the community.

"I was overwhelmed by the difference that we could make providing burns treatment in the hospital. I am returning to continue working with the hospital and provide treatment to the people that need it most."

Uganda faces a huge problem with the number of people suffering from burns, especially children.

Whilst in Uganda, Andrew treated three year old twins Nakato and Mulodaaokyi Kiyrokya. He said: “We had three year old twins come in with acute burns caused by hot porridge. In Uganda, most of the cooking is done outside and with the children playing close by accidents happen. These twins were brought in with burns over 7 days old. They were infected and full of dirt and mud. “It is so incredible to hear and see how in areas like this the old wives tales of treating burns with honey, mud or cooking oil still exist and this is how these children had been treated.” “I had to treat them in a makeshift sterile area in an anaesthetic room with other patients and shared with a chicken. The burns had to be scrubbed, cleaned and dressed using the only cream available which was an antibiotic eye ointment.” 

During his time away, Andrew treated nine children aged 3 – 11 years for acute burns. In Uganda, schools are also an area of concern when it comes to burns. Here, schools are often so far away from a child’s home the child stays at school overnight where they are locked in from the outside. This plus the fact that schools don’t have fire evacuation procedures or emergency exits makes them extremely dangerous places should there be a fire. Uganda also has issues with clean drinking water which prompted Andrew to invest in a water bottle with a filter.

"The Water-to-Go bottle was one of the most important pieces of equipment I had and constantly provided me with safe clean drinking water in very humid conditions. The water in Uganda is not suitable for drinking and using the bottle I was safe and confident drinking the water." Read the full testimonial by clicking here 

Andrew has set up a Just Giving page in order to raise funds for his lifesaving trip. More details can be found clicking here 

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Taekwondo Ace, Martin Stamper is going for a World title Gold Medal in Mexico next week and has had to do some very strange training in preperation.

 The Taekwondo World Championships are staged in Puebla, Mexico – which is more than 2,000m above sea level!

Photo from Liverpool Echo

Martin and the rest of Team GB have been sleeping in oxygen tents to prepare for the affects of fighting at a high altitude.

“We’ve been sleeping in a tent for the last month or so,” Martin told the Liverpool Echo, “but we’ve kept quiet about it until now. “We didn’t want other teams to get onto what we’re doing and copy us. “I’ve been using the spare room to sleep in while my girlfriend stays in our bed! “It needs a big generator and it makes a lot of noise. We only have thin walls, too, but the neighbours are understanding! “The pipes go up the stairs and lead into the tent which goes over my head – which I then try and sleep in. “The first night was a bit weird but it’s one of those things you have to do. “It’s been hard to get used to but it’s one of those sacrifices that need to be made. We’ll be 2,400m above sea level in Mexico and it will be tough.” 

Team GB are no strangers to the hot Mexican sun as they competed in Mexico City last year.

Martin taking Gold at the Spanish Open

“It was 100 degrees while we were there and we were wearing shorts and T-shirts, but the Mexicans were all either in suits or track suits. “They were used to it and that’s the level we need to be at. “Puebla is much further up in the mountains than Mexico City, too, so it will be tough. “Obviously the altitude could be a leveller. But our performance director says that no other country will have researched or prepared as much as we have. “Some countries will struggle and obviously the home fighters will have an advantage. We’ll certainly want to steer clear of Mexicans in the draw. But we’re hopeful.” (Quote taken from Liverpool Echo)

Martin has already had an impressive start to the year taking Gold Medals at the German and Spanish open. 

The World Championships start next week, 15th-21st July. 

                                                                                                                

Good luck to Martin and to the rest of Team GB!  

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For a coffee drinker, I seem to have amassed a surprisingly large quantity of water bottles. There's the overpriced London 2012 souvenir one, the one which came free with my backpack, the small circular one I carry when running, and a few more lying around. 

My newest acquisition is by far my favourite. Purchased on a whim the week I left for a long-awaited trip to Kyrgyzstan, Water to Go's product turned out to be a very good buy. Much as I love that part of the world, Central Asia isn't exactly renowned for the quality of its drinking water; and plumbing is far from universal. Vodka is available pretty much everywhere, but bottled water can be hard to find in many areas. Safe, sober hydration can sometimes be a problem.

Having experienced the joys of giardia while travelling in Tajikistan (great for weight loss, otherwise quite unpleasant), I decided it might be a good idea to buy a water filter. Kyrgyzstan is a land of mountains (the so-called "Switzerland of Central Asia" but with headless goat polo instead of yodelling, and horse-intestine-pasta in place of chocolate)- and where there are mountains, water isn't far away. So, with visions of scooping water out of crystal-clear mountain streams and emerald lakes to keep me hydrated on idyllic mountain hikes, I placed an order.

As well as looking good and making a nice photography prop, Water to Go's bottle seemed to do the job it was designed for, and to do it well. Wherever there was tap water available, I drank it. Whenever I was thirsty and in the vicinity of a stream or lake, I used water from those natural sources and drank it through Water to Go's filter. There was no unpleasant, plasticky aftertaste which I've found can sometimes occur from drinking out of a bottle, neither did I pick up any nasty water-borne viruses. The bottle's sleeve made it easy to grip (I've since carried it while running without it ever slipping out of my hand), and it's solid enough that having it fall from an outer backpack pocket was never a problem. Easy to clean, easy to hold, and easy to drink from.

If wanting to avoid a nasty surprise when drinking water abroad, or to feel more secure when taking water from natural sources, I'd definitely recommend getting hold of a Water to Go product. It can't turn water into coffee, but in all other respects ticks all the boxes for those needing a reliable water bottle for their travels.

                                                       Ben Scott

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We were lucky enough to meet and hear from Dr. Paul Thomas last week at the rebirth of the Body Life UK Fitness Convention.

Dr. Paul Thomas, nicknamed 'The Business Doctor' by the BBC, was the main speaker at Bodylife, which played host to Owners and Directors from the top 50 gyms, health clubs and fitness centres from the UK!

Dr. Paul was kind enough to give us a few shout outs and remarked what a great idea Water-to-Go is and how he thought our bottles are brilliant!

Thanks for the kind words Doctor!

You can follow Dr. Paul on Twitter @businessdocme 

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"My Water-to-Go bottle is easily one of the best £20-something I've ever spent. It's lightweight, comfy to hold and can safely filter an awful lot of water!

It's tempting to go with something bigger, heavier, flashier and seemingly more high-tech, but it is lighter and more functional than most filters and, unlike something like a Steripen, I don't have do drink dead bacteria!

Mine is coming with me when I go off walking in the Pyrenees, and I wouldn't be without it in trips to Africa, Asia and South America. I can't recommend it highly enough!"

James Douglas - Scout Leader

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We catch up with GBR Beach Volleyball Team Chris Gregory & Jake Sheaf at a very windy training session in Tenerife to see how they got on with their Water-to-Go bottles!

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"I seem to experience eczema on my hand whenever I drink tap water, and so for the last, I don’t know how many years, I have had to resort to buying bottled water (if drinking it pure).

I thought I would try the Water-to-Go bottle as it offers a very convenient alternative to bottled water when I am out and about, as in theory I can refill anywhere, instead of having to constantly buy bottled water – which can work out quite expensive.

I have been using the bottle for the last couple of weeks when I go to evening rehearsals with my local Am-Dram group and have not experienced any of the dreaded eczema appear on my hand which would usually appear when filling a bottle from the tap – and what’s better when I finish the bottle I can refill it! Which is a luxury for me.

For me it works! Thank you."

Katie Kitson – Marketing Executive

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"Having lived in Ghana, I understand and value the importance of clean drinking water. Water-to-Go and its filter water bottle system provides an essential, handy and effective way to consume water without worrying about the quality.

I have had their water bottle for nearly 3months now and I cannot recall a day that I have not used it, be it at the gym, football or even in the office. I have peace of mind in drinking any water from any source as long as I have my Water-to-Go bottle."

Norbert Asenso - Sales Executive 

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"This photo is taken in Murcia, Spain, where we are currently doing our Team GB winter training camps. It is the new women's skiff class for Rio 2106. As you can see the boat isn't as stable as other dingy sail boats so requires a lot of agility but means we go a lot faster!!

At the moment our main focus is to get the hours on the water before the competition season starts at the end of March. The boat is physical so requires a lot of drinking to stay hydrated and the water-to-go bottle is very handy!

 Sophie x" "

Sophie Ainsworth - Olympic Sailor

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"HI Guys! I have decided to root for Water-to-Go for several awesome reasons...


 Awesome Reason 1.

When I went Amsterdam I was shocked how much they charge for water, and surprisingly even though there is a Canal or small river in every direction.. Tap water is rarer Than a Mint condition, Shiny Naruto -Konoha Headband being found discarded on the floor of an anime convention. This made me remark to one shop owner to give me a Glass and I shall go out a scoop up some water from the Canal adjacent, he remarked that it is not advisable and I would most likely get ill.

 Awesome Reason 2.

The bottle looks cool.

 Awesome Reason 3.

 I look cool, holding the bottle that looks cool and that makes me super cool.

 Awesome Reason 4.

 It's Cheap, easy to maintain, clean and carry around. It's also Impact durable as I have tested by       accident... whoops ;-)"

                                       
Gary 'Surreal' Lawrence

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