Halfway there TRAIL reaches half way mark of US$ 1 million
Trail, the 27-day long walk from Dondra to Point Pedro to raise US$ 2
million to build a paediatric cancer ward for the Jaffna Teaching
Hospital achieved a significant milestone, reaching its halfway mark of
US$ 1 million recently. The 670km long journey commenced at Dondra,
Matara on July, 1 amidst a large gathering of well-wishers.
A child contributing to the project |
With a total of US$ 2 million funds to be collected by the end of the
journey, Trail aims to build a paediatric cancer treatment facility in
Jaffna, which will immensely benefit patients in the Northern, North
Western, North Central and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. At present
the only facility available for cancer care in Sri Lanka is the National
Cancer Institute in Maharagama.
Speaking of this significant milestone in the journey, Nathan
Sivagananathan, who initiated Trail together with Sarinda Unamboowa
said, "An impressive number of Sri Lankans taking a step forward marked
the beginning of a 27-day journey across the island in our fight against
cancer. To have achieved the half way mark early on into the walk is a
testimony to the support and generosity of Sri Lankans across the
country. As we march on, we are confident that as a nation we will reach
our end goal."
To date, a diverse cross section of Sri Lankans has taken part in the
walk including a group of indigenous people. The walkers taking part in
the journey were given the opportunity to register through the official
website to generate funds through friends and relatives. While most of
the funds were collected by walkers who were sponsored by well-wishers,
both local and foreign organizations have also made direct contributions
to Trail.
Further initiatives to generate funds included the sale of Trail
merchandise comprising of t-shirts, caps and umbrellas and the
'buy-a-brick' campaign where proceeds from purchasing Trail bricks
priced at Rs 500 were directed towards the cause as well. The 'Colombo
Flavours' food festival organized by the Colours of Courage Trust, a
not-for-profit organization dedicated to uplifting cancer treatment
facilities in Sri Lanka, was open to the public on July 8 and 9 where
the entrance ticket revenue was a further contribution towards the Trail
funds.
Trail is initiated by the Colours of Courage Trust, a not-for-profit
organization dedicated to uplifting cancer treatment facilities in Sri
Lanka, supported by its partners Mobitel, MAS Holdings, Sri Lanka
Tourism and A&E who are platinum sponsors of the walk. |