I am running the Richmond half marathon on Sept 14th to raise money to support a family in Sri Lanka that I met in 2022.

I first met Niroshan when I was volunteering in a physiotherapy unit in Sri Lanka. He was there receiving treatment after a fall that left him paralysed from the neck down. Niroshan and I instantly got on and we stayed in touch over the years until my recent visit in 2024, during which I met the rest of his family and stayed with them at the beginning and end of my trip.

Niroshan used to work in the Sri Lankan Air force however is unable to work now and his wife is responsible for looking after their three children. The money raised will help support them with medical bills, provide resources for their children to thrive at school and help life at home become a little bit more comfortable.

Their children; Ransara, Shahini and Tahluni are so talented, kind, and positive. One thing that struck me most about the family was their generosity, each time I stayed with them they encouraged me to stay the night and gave me one of their two bedrooms to sleep in. They would cook me a delicious Sri Lankan spread and made me feel so at home. All of the children are so intelligent; Ransara incredibly sporty and runs lots of marathons at school, Shahini is hoping to get into the tech industry however struggles at school without access to a laptop and Tahluni will no doubt go on to succeed in whatever she chooses (+ she loves Nutella so I'd love to send her some more of this!)

This family has been dealt a very unfair hand and I would love to do what I can to try and give back to them in anyway. They have really touched my heart and I have no doubt that I will keep going back to Sri Lanka to see them throughout my life. I know they will all appreciate any little donation so much 🫶🏻🌟