Water of Leith Walk for Water Crisis Edinburgh 2026

Key Points

• A community fundraising walk is scheduled for Saturday, 7 March 2026, along the Water of Leith from Balerno to The Shore in Leith, covering approximately 20-21 kilometres.
• The event aims to raise awareness of the global water crisis, particularly the daily struggles of millions, especially women and children in sub-Saharan Africa, who walk miles to collect water.
• Organised by Edinburgh resident Matt Murphy (also listed as Matthew Murphy or Matt M.), who works full-time in renewable energy and volunteers with Africa Access Water (AfAW).
• AfAW, a non-profit based in Zambia established in 2019, delivers solar-powered water systems for clean drinking water, agriculture, food security, and income generation in rural communities.
• AfAW projects have provided clean water to over 30,000 people and supported more than 6,000 households in becoming food secure to date.​
• The walk connects the local Water of Leith ‘blue corridor’ with global water realities, bringing communities together to highlight the transformative impact of reliable water access.
• Detailed itinerary includes start at Balerno High School at 10 AM, stops at Colinton Dell and Tunnel (11:15-11:30 AM), Water of Leith Visitor Centre and Aqueduct (12-12:15 PM), Murrayfield Stadium (13:15-13:30 PM), St Bernard’s Well, Royal Botanic Garden, and Stockbridge (14:30-14:45 PM), ending at The Shore in Leith (15:30-15:45 PM).
• Transport to start: Bus number 44 from Princes Street (09:15 AM) or Haymarket Station (09:26 AM), arriving Balerno at 09:56 AM.
• Donations via JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/water-of-leith-2026-afaw, where every £10 provides clean water for decades to someone.
• Participants encouraged to join WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K7MWJwyjDkz7HRi4joxTVg for coordination.
• AfAW’s mission: Equip rural communities in Zambia and Africa with solar-powered water for productive use, food security, and socio-economic development; empower women and youth; enhance water economics knowledge.​
• Recent AfAW achievements (2024): Constructed 3 new solar systems serving 2,000+ people; hosted Water Economy Dialogue with 25 stakeholders; supported 200 women in savings groups; trained 50 youth in maintenance and agriculture.​
• Event hosted on Meetup by Matt M. as part of The Edinburgh Walking & Socialising Group, emphasising socialising while walking for the cause.​

Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) February 23, 2026 – A community fundraising walk will take place on 7 March along the Water of Leith, from Balerno to The Shore in Leith, to raise awareness of the global water crisis. The event, organised by local resident Matt Murphy, seeks to link Edinburgh’s scenic riverside path with the harsh realities faced by millions worldwide who lack access to clean water. Participants will traverse 20-21 kilometres, mirroring the long journeys undertaken daily by women and children in sub-Saharan Africa.

What is the route and schedule for the Water of Leith charity walk?

The walk commences at Balerno High School at 10:00 AM on Saturday, 7 March 2026. As detailed by Matt M. on the Meetup event page for The Edinburgh Walking & Socialising Group, stops include Colinton Dell and the Colinton Tunnel from 11:15 to 11:30 AM, the Water of Leith Visitor Centre and Aqueduct from 12:00 to 12:15 PM, Murrayfield Stadium from 13:15 to 13:30 PM, and St Bernard’s Well near the Royal Botanic Garden and Stockbridge from 14:30 to 14:45 PM, concluding at The Shore in Leith around 15:30 to 15:45 PM.

To facilitate attendance, organisers have arranged bus travel on the number 44 service, departing Princes Street at 09:15 AM or Haymarket Station (Stop HG) at 09:26 AM, arriving in Balerno by 09:56 AM. On the JustGiving fundraising page set up by Matthew Murphy for Africa Access Water, the walk is described as totalling 20 kilometres to fund solar-powered systems that support clean water, food production, and livelihoods. Matt Murphy, as quoted in the event description on Meetup, states:

“This fundraising walk is a great opportunity to complete the full Water of Leith walkway and socialise with some new people, always keeping the water in sight as we walk for a good cause.”

Who is organising the charity walk and what is their background?

Edinburgh resident Matt Murphy (also referred to as Matthew Murphy or Matt M.) is leading the organisation of the event. He works full-time in renewable energy and volunteers with Africa Access Water (AfAW), a charity based in Zambia. As reported in The Edinburgh Reporter, the walk is designed to bring local communities together while highlighting the transformative impact of reliable water access.

On the Meetup page hosted by Matt M., he explains:

“I volunteer for Africa Access Water, a charity based in Zambia, and we build solar-powered water systems to improve access to clean drinking water and improve food security.”

The JustGiving page further attributes the initiative to Matthew Murphy, emphasising community fundraising for AfAW. Murphy’s dual role in renewables and volunteering underscores the event’s focus on sustainable solutions.

What is Africa Access Water and its impact?

Africa Access Water (AfAW) is a non-profit organisation established in 2019, based in Zambia, dedicated to designing, equipping, and implementing sustainable solar-powered water infrastructure for productive use in rural Africa. According to the AfAW official website, its mission is: “To equip rural communities in Zambia and Africa with solar-powered water infrastructure and systems for productive use, food security, and socio-economic development.”​

The charity’s objectives include providing water for drinking, irrigation, and livestock; empowering women and youth through agriculture and entrepreneurship; and advancing water economics via research and policy advocacy. To date, AfAW projects have provided clean water to over 30,000 people and supported more than 6,000 households in achieving food security, as noted in The Edinburgh Reporter. Recent 2024 achievements on the AfAW site include constructing three additional solar-powered infrastructures serving over 2,000 people, hosting the inaugural Water Economy Dialogue with 25 stakeholders, supporting 200 women in savings groups, and training 50 young people in water system maintenance and sustainable agriculture.

Key projects highlighted include the Mphande Community Development Project in Kafue District serving 6,000 people across three villages, and initiatives in Shibuyunji empowering over 120 women with irrigated plots for income generation. The JustGiving page reinforces: “AfAW doesn’t just provide water access. We work with communities to build long-term, community-owned water systems that move families from water scarcity to economic resilience.”

Why focus on the global water crisis in sub-Saharan Africa?

The walk draws a direct parallel between the leisurely stroll along Edinburgh’s Water of Leith—a well-known ‘blue corridor’—and the arduous daily treks of millions, particularly women and children in sub-Saharan Africa, who walk several miles to fetch water for their families. As reported by The Edinburgh Reporter, these individuals face immense challenges in accessing this basic necessity, impacting health, education, and economic opportunities.

Matt Murphy’s Meetup description highlights: “Every £10 we receive on this fundraiser provides someone with clean drinking water for decades.” AfAW’s work targets rural poverty by linking water access to agriculture and livelihoods, addressing the broader crisis where lack of reliable sources forces time-consuming labour, often at the expense of schooling for girls. This event embodies solidarity, urging participants to ‘walk for those who must’.

How can people get involved in the event?

Interested individuals can RSVP via the Meetup event page hosted by Matt M. and join the dedicated WhatsApp group at https://chat.whatsapp.com/K7MWJwyjDkz7HRi4joxTVg for updates and coordination. Donations are welcomed through the JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/water-of-leith-2026-afaw, directly funding AfAW’s solar systems.

Organisers stress personal responsibility: “Walking can pose a danger of personal injury, and all participants should be aware of and accept these risks… ensuring suitable gear, food, and water supplies,” as stated on the Meetup page. By participating or donating, supporters contribute to AfAW’s goal of turning “distance into access—and access into impact,” per the fundraising site.

What makes the Water of Leith a symbolic choice?

The Water of Leith pathway, from Balerno to Leith’s Shore, is a popular 21-kilometre route passing landmarks like the Colinton Tunnel, aqueducts, Murrayfield Stadium, and Stockbridge, offering scenic views that contrast sharply with water-scarce regions. Choosing this ‘blue corridor’—a term for vital waterways—symbolically connects local abundance to global deprivation, as per The Edinburgh Reporter’s coverage.

The route’s visitor centre provides context on Edinburgh’s river conservation, enhancing the event’s educational angle. Participants will keep “the water in sight,” as Matt Murphy notes on Meetup, reinforcing the theme throughout the journey.

Broader context: Similar water awareness walks worldwide?

While this Edinburgh event is unique, similar initiatives exist globally. For instance, Walk2Water in London involves carrying jerry cans to simulate African journeys, raising funds for wells in Africa and Asia. Relate Water Walk in South Africa features 6km solidarity treks, with each registration gifting clean water for life. WaterAid’s Walk for Water challenges participants to cover distances over days to fund community systems. These align with AfAW’s efforts, amplifying calls for sustainable solutions amid ongoing crises.