International Childcare Trust (ICT) is organising a coast
to coast cycle across Sri Lanka 19-28 September 2003 to raise funds to
help support programmes in Africa and Asia with some of the world’s poorest
and most vulnerable children.

ICT is taking advantage of the long held peace process
in Sri Lanka and cycling up into the north of the tropical island, an
area which only very recently opened to tourism. As far as we know, ICT
will be the first charity to cycle up into this virtually unexplored part
of the island, where elephants roam free! We will unwind after the cycle
by snorkelling near Trincomalee, at one of the most beautiful beaches
in the world.

The cycle offers keen travellers the chance to tour Sri
Lanka whilst keeping fit. Those who sign up will also be granted the
opportunity to meet other travellers and visit two of ICT’s projects to
see how the money raised will benefit some of the world’s most disadvantaged
children.

Since the north of the island has opened to tourism, Sri
Lanka is being written up in all the UK national papers as the new ‘hot
spot’ to travel before it becomes too tourist driven. Over the next couple
of years, it is anticipated that the tourist industry will grow and that
the prices for travel in Sri Lanka will rise considerably.

Therefore, an entry fee of £250 for the cycle (which
covers flight on Sri Lankan Airlines, hotel accommodation, provision of
bike, etc) seems to good to be true.

The challenge for people is: can you get fit enough? And
can you raise enough for ICT? We think that every individual is capable
and it is a memory that you will have with you for the rest of your life.

If you have any further queries or questions please visit
http://www.international-childcare-trust.org/cycle-and-trek-challenges