Five-year-old Hasith stood on the pavement with his schoolfriends and watched, enthralled, as roughly a thousand people took to the streets of Dampelessa to raise funds for a paediatric cancer ward in Jaffna.
“I want to help too,” he declared, solemnly stuffing the Rs. 20 note that had been crushed in his little fist, into one of the many collection tills being passed around.
“The significance of the cause put forward by Trail,” reflects Nathan Sivaganathan, a trustee of the Colours of Courage Trust, “is that it is not just about one person donating Rs. 1 million, but the impact caused by a 100,000 people giving a rupee each to the cause. That is the spirit we wanted to create; and I feel that we have succeeded.” And he is right.
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| Passers-by contribute in their own little way to the cause (above and bottom left).
Pix by Sanka Vidanagama |
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Going in pursuit of the determined walkers, The Sunday Times found the streets from Dampelessa to Kurunegala, lined with hundreds of spectators and schoolchildren eagerly awaiting the arrival of the walkers. Some had prepared food and drink for the participants; others cheered them on and gave donations; while others yet, put aside their work for the day and simply joined the walk.
Beginning from the deep South- at Dondra Head- the path followed by Trail so far has been marked out by banners and posters of the now well known logo of the walk- the orange footprint. Almost every random passer- by has some experience of Trail to recount. “Honda pa gamanak,” says a policeman in Pannala, grinning his approval. “Hari speed ekata giye,” he adds encouraging us to drive on fast to catch up with the Trail which had set out at an impressive pace at 5 a.m. that morning.
Covering an average of 25 kilometres each day, the participants of Trail refuse to slow down or falter in their tracks. “I get a lot of satisfaction knowing we have covered the distance we’re supposed to cover in a day,” explains 26-year-old Shehan. “For me, apart from the act of raising funds, to be part of a journey like this is to show solidarity with the cause of helping cancer patients. And I don’t want people to see me slouching along or lagging behind. I want people to see that I’m determined, and I think the other walkers probably feel the same way.”
With a financial target of US$ 2 million, Trail was initiated as a project with a rather formidable objective. With roughly half the journey completed, its organizers and partners alike are stunned by the response Trail has received: the enthusiasm and the support not only from the thousands of participants but also from the many more thousands of spectators along the way.
“We were touched by the number of people who of their own accord brought us refreshments and offered us their hospitality,” says Sarinda Unamboowe, trailblazer of the walk and Trustee of its organizer the Colours of Courage Trust. “The response we have got is overwhelming. Apart from all the financial support, we have received numerous pledges for support with necessary raw material, roofing, flooring and equipment. At this point I am confident that we will be able to fulfill the goals we set out at the initiation of Trail.”
Amande Weerasinghe- one of the walkers who has been with Trail since Dondra, looks back at the experiences he has had so far and is awed by the solidarity shown by people from all walks of life. “I was both humbled and inspired to see over 4000 people joining us in Colombo as we walked to Galle Face. It feels great to know that people care enough to brave the heat and the physical strain of walking a long distance; all in support of a very worthy cause.”
As thousands of trailblazers, day trekkers and virtual walkers who have signed up with the cause journey on to the finishing point, the organizers continue to look to Sri Lankans for their support. “Anyone who wishes to can be a part of our Buy a Brick campaign, where a brick can be bought by logging onto www.trailsl.com or at Odel, Harpo’s Restaurants and the Colombo Swimming Club,” says Nathan Sivaganathan.
Trail will reach its conclusion in Jaffna on July 27, after which the process of building and equipping the new children’s ward will begin. “I think I might go to Jaffna when that happens,” mused Nimesha, a young nurse from the hospital in Kurunegala as she stood watching the walkers go by. “I lost my brother to cancer, and I’m looking forward to seeing a new place where children suffering from cancer can be treated.” At the end of the trail to Jaffna, there can be no doubt that thousands of people just like Nimesha will look forward to seeing children finally provided with an opportunity to face and hopefully defeat cancer. |
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