In 2002, British choirs began singing to raise money for clean water; this year, the project marks its 25th year and has raised nearly £1.4 million

Every September, hundreds of singers gather together by the River Thames to turn music into a public fundraiser for clean water and sanitation. Sing for Water brings together choirs from across the United Kingdom as part of the Totally Thames festival, with participants performing water-inspired choral songs while raising money for WaterAid.In 2026, the riverside choral event marks its 25th year. Up to 500 people from more than 40 choirs from across the country are expected to take part. As per Thames Festival Trust, the event was co-founded in 2002 by Thames Festival Trust and composer, singer and musical director Helen Chadwick. Since then, Sing for Water has raised nearly 1.4 million pounds to help change and save lives around the world.How will Sing for Water bring hundreds of singers together in 2026In 2026, Sing for Water marks 25 years of bringing choirs together beside the River Thames. As part of the Totally Thames festival, the event takes place every September and brings up to 500 singers from more than 40 choirs across the United Kingdom to perform water-inspired songs.This year, the event takes place for the first time in the courtyard behind the OXO Tower, where audiences can be seen dancing and singing along in celebration. The choir will be led by conductors Sharon Durant and Ben See. Each participating choir first rehearses the specially curated music separately before coming together for a collective rehearsal the day before the final performance.The event has raised nearly 1.4 million pounds since 2002Sing for Water was co-founded in 2002 by Thames Festival Trust and renowned composer, singer and musical director Helen Chadwick. Over its history, Sing for Water has raised nearly £1.4 million to change and save lives around the world. The project has also become a way for a different community of people to connect with WaterAid’s mission.Megan Elworthy, Senior Community and Events Fundraising Officer, said the event has been more than a fundraiser and described its impact as reaching far beyond the stage. She said the project brings creativity, compassion and collective joy into WaterAid’s work. Sing for Water remains part of the Thames Festival Trust’s artistic programme.Sing for Water raises money for clean water and sanitationThe fundraising behind Sing for Water supports WaterAid, whose vision is a world where everyone has access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.The Thames Festival Trust says millions of people around the world are living without access to clean water and sanitation. It describes the crisis as one that costs lives and damages the chances of community development. Each singer taking part raises a minimum of £50.The trust says it costs £15 to give one person access to clean water for the rest of their lives. Based on those figures, the event connects each singer’s fundraising with WaterAid’s work to improve access to clean water.Choirs rehearse separately before joining the final performanceThe event brings together individual choirs before they perform collectively as one larger group. Choirs rehearse separately before joining the full group for a collective rehearsal on the day before the final performance. Their programme is built around specially curated music inspired by water. In 2026, Sharon Durant and Ben See are leading the choir, while Una May Olomolaiye is among the guest conductors.The event is part of Totally Thames, an annual September season of arts and culture taking place on, beneath and along the River Thames. Sing for Water adds a choral performance and fundraising element to that wider programme.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.