From Galle on the south coast to Point Pedro at the northernmost tip on the Jaffna peninsula

The route

Above is my route that I’ve just highlighted in thick green ink showing the steps I’ve taken over my last 3 trips to Sri Lanka. Miraculously it’s almost identical to what I mapped out back in 2020 when I decided to raise funds to support Their Future Today and Women’s Development Centre to help them deliver projects to transform lives in Sri Lanka.

Fundraising Update

I had originally set what I considered to be an ambitious target of £10,000. However, as I had achieved that after completing Stage 1, I decided to aim for a further £10,000 for each of my two following stages. Most of the money I’ve raised each year has been through small fundraising activities such as pre-loved clothes sales, a jewellery sale, paddleboarding with curry evenings, embroidery with supper evenings, a yoga event, a sponsored swim, a sponsored half marathon etc. The rest has been through eBay sales of pre-loved clothes and the remainder through Justgiving as I’ve been trekking.

I’ve now raised £29,729 (99%) so just £271 to go to hit my £30,000 target! Thank you to everyone who’s donated and supported in so many ways. But if you’re new to this and would like to donate then click here to go through to my Justgiving page.

As we were on our way back to the airport we stopped off at a TFT funded refuge, for whom I’m an ambassador. They presented us with a congratulatory chocolate cake, a curry and delighted in practising a 15 minute dramatic performance for us that they intend to take to local schools to help educate girls and boys on the importance of ‘no’ meaning ‘no’ when encountering unwanted sexual advances. It was brilliant and powerful and a privilege to have them share this with us.

My 5 favourite pictures of this trip

Top left celebrating Sinhalese and Tamil new year celebrations with Rev Ragama and his village, top right, Stage 2 of the Pekoe Trail looking out towards the magnificent Knuckles mountain range, middle left, a selfie on top of KCC in Kandy town, middle right with a group of tea pickers as we were trekking Stage 1 of the Pekoe Trail and bottom at sunrise as we’re about to start Stage 2 of the Pekoe Trail

And beyond . . .

Travelling with a purpose

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could all commit to making a trip each year which in some way supports a sustainable purpose beyond just having a holiday? Here’s a link to a short post I wrote on LinkedIn the other day and another one here on some of the volunteering opportunities that I’ve identified that are available in Sri Lanka. If you’re interested in learning more or you know of anyone who may be then please share these links with them.

Five key lessons I’ve learnt from trekking in Sri Lanka

1. Aristotle was right! I’ve learnt that the quality of my life is determined to a very large extent by engaging in activities that challenge me, contribute to my personal growth as well as the welfare of others.
2. Know my limits and make a conscious choice to either accept them or actively seek to go beyond them.
3. If planning to trek for 3-5 hours a day then set off early and before sunrise if possible as it’s just too hot to be out in it so close to the midday sun.
4. It’s obvious and I already know it but I need to keep relearning to pack and drink loads of fresh water, take energy snacks especially bananas, wear a hat and factor 50 sun cream.
5. Organise a knowledgeable and experienced guide to trek with especially when travelling off the beaten track for personal safety reasons but mostly to be shown the incredible flora, fauna, wildlife, rural communities, history and scenery.