PC: Thames Festival Trust
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. In 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. Sing 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. 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.
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. The Thames Festival Trust says millions of people around the world are living without access to clean water and sanitation.
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. The project has also become a way for a different community of people to connect with WaterAid’s mission. Sing for Water remains part of the Thames Festival Trust’s artistic programme. It describes the crisis as one that costs lives and damages the chances of community development. Based on those figures, the event connects each singer’s fundraising with WaterAid’s work to improve access to clean water.
