A COMPANY co-founded by a Keighley man has launched its first charity partnership.

ViDrate has linked-up with Excellent Development, a cause which supports some of the world’s poorest people to transform their lives through water and soil conservation in drylands.

The charity’s work includes building sand dams, which can provide clean water for life and the opportunity for people to develop livelihoods.

Nick Hird, of Keighley, founded ViDrate with Rob Bennett-Baggs.

Their brand, a flavoured health drink which contains added vitamins and electrolytes but no sugar, was an instant hit.

Nick said: “We feel that our values and those of Excellent Development align perfectly.

“Our mission is to help people drink more water and improve the environment and sustainability, whilst Excellent Development wants to help provide cleaner water to transform people’s lives.”

ViDrate aims to raise enough funds to help build a sand dam for a rural community in Africa. A charity collection has been set-up – at vidrate.co.uk/collections/charity – where 15 per cent of proceeds from sales go to the cause.