World Toilet Day 2016

I don't know about you, but as a parent, particularly when the girls were young, knowing that there was almost always a toilet nearby was an absolute blessing. Let's face it, no matter how many times you ask your child to use the toilet before leaving home, you can guarantee they'll need to go as soon as you hit the motorway, and again as soon as you arrive at your destination; even if that destination is only a five minute drive away.

Thankfully, we are past that stage, but I still have that built in instinct to locate the toilets as soon as I arrive anywhere. Do non parents worry about such things?


Anyway, toilets are something we take for granted. If I'm honest they are the bane of my life. We have four toilets in our home, (no I don't live in a palace we just have two en-suites) and cleaning all those rooms is never ending. My girls take for granted that toilet roll magically appears and, therefore, if I've forgotten to replenish said toilet roll, a shout, or phone call (yes I get calls on my mobile re this) of , 'Help Mum, I need toilet roll, now!' ensues and I'm running up and down two flights of stairs to fetch and deliver the required item. I'm sure it could be counted as exercise, it happens so often.

Today is World Toilet Day. Founded back in 2013 to raise awareness of the plight of over 2 billion people who do not have access to proper sanitation, of those, 1 billion don't have access to any kind of a toilet. And we moan about those dodgy hole in the ground toilets on the French motorways.

Yep, I would rather hold on too, but at least it's a toilet and we don't have to hide behind a bush on the motorway (which are rather few and far between) hoping we're not bearing our bottom to any unsuspecting members of the public. I'm not sure who would be more embarrassed!

Lack of proper sanitation, causes so many health problem and aids the spread of disease. This is why we always tell our little cherubs to flush the toilet and wash their hands properly, with soap. It helps to keep them safe and those around them safe. As parents none of us wants to see our children sick, but for those billions of people around the world who don't have access to clean water and proper sanitation, sick children is a reality.

So what can we do to help. Well a good place to start is here, where you'll find lots of different ways to support the campaign and more importantly learn more about the campaign. You could head over to Toilet Twinning.org and twin your toilet, or if you're feeling really 'flush' a school block for £240.00 (you could maybe do this as a project at school, or work), or how about sponsoring a toilet for £20.00, by visiting Oxfam; there must be someone you know who is always in the loo and this would make a great alternative present this Christmas.

Yes, I have put my money where my mouth is and have sponsored a toilet and I'm now off to clean the four that I have.