Many of us have no idea what it's like to be thirsty. We have plenty of water to drink -- even the water in our toilets is clean!

But many people around the world don’t have that luxury. Every day, about 1,400 children die from diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are simple solutions like drilled wells, spring protections and BioSand filters that help provide clean water to communities around the world.

I have read stories about women and children in poor countries who have to walk for hours each day for just a pot of water, including one about a 13-year old girl who tripped and accidentally broke the clay pot of water she had been carrying all day - she was so ashamed and embarrassed of herself that she committed suicide. 13 years old. That's messed up.

It's very easy to forget how privileged we are, so I think it's only right that we do what we can to make a difference. And the catchphrases we've all heard are true: it doesn't take much to change someone's life. Just $30 can get clean water for one person who didn't previously have it.

So whilst I would recommend a donation amount equal to my new age - 21 - as a birthday gift to me, just know that rounding that up to 30 will be enough for you to be a hero for one less-fortunate individual. (Or, you know, feel free to donate even more!)

charity: water has private donors that cover all operating costs, so 100% of the donations will be used to build clean water projects, and when they’re complete, charity: water will send us photos and GPS coordinates so we can see the exact community we helped.

Thanks a lot everyone for your generosity.

Akshay.