About Us

Jon Ashworth - Founder and Trustee

Jon Ashworth was a Business writer with The Times from 1989 - 2005. He set up Yala Fund after meeting Tsunami refugees while on holiday in Sri Lanka and now combines charity work with freelance writing. Jon works tirelessly to ensure that every penny donated goes exactly where it is needed.


John and Beverley Thompson - Trustees

John and Bev run a successful electronic water treatment company in Fareham Hampshire. When the jeep driver they had been writing to since their leopard safari holiday in 2003 became a victim of the Tsunami they decided to sponsor him. Through a chance meeting with Jon Ashworth via the internet a bond was forged and all three have been working together, for the good of Sri Lanka, ever since.

Suzy Payne - Trustee

Suzy is a highly successful account director with a leading London design-led marketing agency. Suzy has become one of Yala's biggest champions, personally raising tens of thousands of pounds and making annual charity trips to Sri Lanka with her close friend Tory Stroud. Read Suzy and Tory's story elsewhere on this website. 

Supurna Hettiarachchi and S.P. Ariyasena (Kalu), Sri Lanka coordinators

Hetti is a tour guide and birding expert with Jetwing Eco Safaris and was Jon's guide on his first visit to Sri Lanka in 2005. Kalu is the jeep driver known to John & Bev who escaped who escaped the Tsunami by seconds on the beach at Patanangala in Yala National Park. Hetti & Kalu help oversee Yala Fund's programme in Sri Lanka.