Suzy and Tory's Trip

In January 2007, during interval drinks at the Royal Opera House, a friend Helen Ball mentioned Jon Ashworth and Yala Fund to me; although I had only ever done the odd charity walk and made the odd donation in the past, I was immediately drawn to Jon’s story and contacted him by email next day.

We met for the first time in a coffee shop in Soho; within minutes Jon had so inspired me that I decided to go out to Sri Lanka and help. Here was a man and a charity that I could really believe in: no overheads no expense accounts, no committees. I could go down and meet the people most in need, identify their most urgent needs and offer immediate help. I delayed the trip until October to allow time to raise funds to take with me. Initially, I made arrangements to go alone and travel with just Hetti, our Sri Lanka Co-ordinator, but to my great joy Tory, my best friend of 30 years, decided to join me.

We paid all our own expenses of course - and I raised £3,300 from friends and colleagues; Tory, having now seen for herself how Yala Fund works, is also committed and is now trying to raise funds from her friends and contacts. We are planning our next trip in April and have car boots and other events planned as we are now trying to raise sufficient funds to purchase some land and build housing for some of the more deprived people we met there. Since we returned we have gained sponsorship of £25 per month for at least 5 of the little girls at the Sith Sevana home for mentally handicapped children – mentioned here in this report – a wonderful result. I hope the following stories inspire you to help Yala Fund to continue with the wonderful work done so far.

Please click here for the full story

Please click here for Suzy's website