Just 100 days to go until we begin Stage 2 of our trek across Sri Lanka where we’ll continue to raise awareness and funds to support vulnerable women and children there. See previous blog here for the route.

Sri Lanka projects

Some great news to report is that 3 girls, who’ve been staying at the refuge for their own protection, have just passed their O Levels and their grades are high enough for them to progress onto A Levels. WDC’s Coordinator, Chandrathilika, said their achievements have been made possible in large part because of the funds we’ve raised. The girls have been supported with transport costs to and from school, books and resources, additional academic 1-1 lessons and in some cases counselling sessions. Such a fantastic result where their hard work and commitment will prove life-changing for them.

Fundraising update

The seasonal clothes sale event last week raised over £700! I’m always amazed at how generous people are with donating clothes for sale as well as buying them. 84% of my £20k target has now been achieved. Most of this has been raised through fundraising events together with Just-giving donations. A reminder that every penny of this has gone to those who need it.

Last month Caroline, an embroidery student at The Royal School of Needlework, delivered a sewing class for 6 women with each of us being taught to embroider a Christmas card. 30% of the course fee was donated from this event to support the girls at WDC. Two more classes are planned for later this month where students will make an elaborate pin cushion whilst learning to use a variety of stitches – blanket, whipped, star, running and fly as well as Eskimo lace and French knot.

Christmas Raffle

If you’d like to buy a raffle ticket for the chance to win a unique ‘experience prize’ please get in touch with me, Gill or Joel ASAP on the details below and before 20th December. £10 for a strip of tickets with a total prize value of over £1,000. The raffle draw will be on the evening of 20th December at the final fundraising event of the year.

Raffle Prizes

1. Fine dining for 4 at the UK’s leading school of Hospitality & Culinary Arts in the Escoffier Room, Vincent Square, London
2. Airbnb for 2 guests for 2 nights in self-contained studio in Molesey, 50 metres from the River Thames
3. 2 tickets for a premier league football game for 2022/23 season at London Stadium, Stratford
4. Fun Art class for 2 with Artist, Helen Blizzard, at your home if within 5 miles of TW13 and to include canvases, paints, brushes etc
5. 1.5 hour massage, reflexology or reiki treatment with Pure Therapy in your own home if within 5 miles of KT7, or at the treatment room in Thames Ditton
6. 1-1 Yoga lesson with Yoga in my Garden
7. 3 hour sewing lesson as part of a small group with Royal School of Needlework teacher in Molesey
8. 2 tickets to the preview night for The Other Art Fair, at The Truman Brewery, Shoreditch 9-12 March 2023
9. Luxury Wash and Blowdry during January 2023 at Beehive Boutique, Hampton Court
10. Experience a day behind the scenes volunteering for Their Future Today charity at their office in Sunbury TW13

Purchase tickets from Marcia 07818 086 067, Gill 07956,434,683, Joel 07799,655,538 or at joel@theirfuturetoday.com

If you missed the last blog then here it is.

Further sponsorship – if you’d like to help those in need in Sri Lanka at this incredibly troubled time, whilst being assured every penny will go to those who need it then please donate by clicking on this link. Don’t forget that if you’re a tax payer to declare gift aid when doing so which will increase your donation by 25% at no cost to you. Alternatively, if you know anyone or any organisation who may have an interest in this cause please share this blog link with them.