Brain injury survivor volunteers at Glastonbury
A 25-year-old who was told he had a one-in-three chance of dying has headed off to Glastonbury Festival to volunteer for charity.
Less than four years ago, Connor Blundell suffered a four-metre fall while studying abroad, leaving him with temporary paralysis on his right side and in a coma for a month.
After spending the last 44-months learning to walk and talk again, he will be joining WaterAid at the Somerset festival to help people stay hydrated.
"I’m pretty gassed to be here as I am today, and for the opportunities that I’ve had, that’s why I want to put myself out there and support others," said Mr Blundell.
The charity has partnered with Glastonbury since 1994, supporting services on site while highlighting its work to help bring clean water and sanitation to people living in poverty around the world.
While more than 200,000 festival goers will be partying at Pyramid Stage, Mr Blundell will be filling up water bottles at the WaterAid bars and kiosks across the site.
“Today, nearly one in ten people around the world don’t have clean water close to home, and nearly one in five don’t have a decent toilet of their own," Mr Blundell said.
"Glastonbury is a great opportunity to help raise awareness of a cause that I care deeply about.”
'We take it for granted'
In April this year, Mr Blundell managed to complete the London Marathon for WaterAid after regaining movement in his right side.
He noted that during the run, there was "more than enough water" supplied.
"We take it for granted so much, and I can’t imagine what it would be like to live without such a basic thing," he said.
"Whether it’s going to a water kiosk to get a drink, or waiting to use a toilet, Glastonbury is the ideal setting for people to start to understand what it might be like for the millions of people who don’t have access to clean water or decent toilets."
This year - marking 30 years of partnership - there will be more than 700 WaterAid volunteers at the UK’s biggest outdoor music festival.
Alongside working the water refill bars, they will be running the women’s urinals, cleaning the toilets and handwashing stations, and supporting the post-festival clean-up.
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