With pockets full of cash, hearts full of benevolence, 45 riders of different ethnicities, ages, and genders left Colombo this morning en-route to Jaffna riding a distance of 400km in aid of the iconic Green Memorial Hospital, Minipay Jaffna. The hospital, established in 1847 is considered one of the oldest in Sri Lanka.
Ahead of this significant undertaking a launch of ‘Ride for Ceylon’ a charity aimed at collecting funds for the development of the Green Memorial Hospital, was held in Colombo recently.
The two organizations, ‘Ride for Ceylon’ and the ‘Friends of Manipay Hospital’ joined hands together to collect funds for the development and maintenance of this significant hospital once a pride of the Jaffna people. The Cycle ride organized by the Ride for Ceylon trust was inaugurated in 2017.
3rd annual “Ride4Ceylon” cycle parade to commence in February
The Ride4Ceylon parade was organized …
At the onset in 2017 only 5 riders participated in the event. However, the number of riders increased to 25 in the year 2018. Embarking on this cause for the 3rd consecutive year, a total of 45 participants are set to take on the challenge this year.
The funds raised this year is said to be utilized for the purpose of purchasing an ambulance for the hospital which is an utmost necessity. Moreover, the remaining funds would be utilized for the purpose of developing the hospital and medical needs.
Addressing the gathering a member of “Friends of Manipay Hospital”, Mr. Michel Arnold, stated, “this hospital is not only the first hospital established in Sri Lanka but also the 2nd Hospital to be established in South Asia. The main focus of this year’s Parade is to collect funds for the purchase of an ambulance for this hospital. I thank Mr. David Suresh, a dedicated member of this trust for his services in the past two years and in this year as well”.
Photo Album : Ride for Ceylon Launch Party 2019
At this occasion, a sum of 25,500 Australian Dollars was donated by the City Tatts Clubs of Australia, and the collection for the fund at the end of the day was a whopping 3.1M and counting.
The launch also saw the handing over of cheques by the sponsors and the Official Cycling Kit exhibited. The participants and families were present and the introduction of the participants also took place.
As the group took off this morning at 5.00 a.m. from Colombo, they are expected to reach Yapahuwa at the end of the first day. On the following day, the Parade is expected to proceed till Anuradhapura and on the third day it will reach Kilinochchi. The fourth and final day being the 2nd of March, the parade will proceed from Kilinochchi and reach Jaffna.
At the end of the ride the organizers of this worthy cause will join together to handover the donations collected, to Manipay Green Memorial Hospital.
The Ride for Ceylon Trust wishes to convey that a large sum of funds has been raised this year and more funds are expected to be raised. There is also a collection of cricket equipment that is scheduled to be distributed at a later date.
Meanwhile they also call upon anyone who is interested, to be a part of this humanitarian effort.
To join, contact Ride for Ceylon through their website : www.ride4ceylon.com or through the e-mail address [email protected]
Donations can also be deposited to the bank account given below:
INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SERVICES TRUST
Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC
Jaffna Branch.
Account Number: 1060111500
