Charity Tuk-Tuk Race
Across Sri Lanka
in Memory of CarlieTufnell
The Story...
Carlie was incredibly warm, charismatic and outwardly carefree. He had endless kindness for those around him but tragically struggled to extend that same kindness to himself. In 2021, Carlie lost his battle with depression.
To honour his life and memory, his family and friends raced across the length of Sri Lanka in tuk-tuks—a place Carlie called home in 2018 and where he found peace and joy.
While the race bore Carlie’s name, it stands as a tribute to everyone we’ve lost to depression.
The Charities We Are Supporting
We originally aimed to raise £35,000 for three wonderful, impactful causes. However, thanks to the incredible generosity of or supporters, we have raised over $100,000 (£80,000)- more than double our original goal.
Funds raised will be split equally among:
The Carlie Tufnell Charitable Trust
Dedicated to supporting mental health initiatives, providing aid to those with learning difficulties and fostering engagement in the arts - areas that were close to Carlie’s heart.
The TEA Project
Enhances opportunities for vulnerable children in Sri Lanka’s tea plantation communities through training, empowerment and awareness programs. These initiatives are designed to foster learning, expand opportunities, and significantly improve the life chances of the children.
Winning Tuk-Tuk’s Chosen Charity
To add a spirited element of competition, the fastest tuk-tuk determined which charitable cause would receive the final third of the funds. Our inaugral race winners Hunny and Monte Grainger chose to split their portion between The Carlie Tufnell Charitable Trust and The TEA Project.
The Race
From December 30th, 2024, to January 6th, 2025, 22 tuk-tuks carrying 61 drivers raced across Sri Lanka. Drivers navigated dense jungles, secluded off-road tracks, towering mountains, ancient ruins and remote villages, passing monkeys, elephants and other surprises along the way.
While Sri Lanka can be driven across in a day (without breaks!), we extended the race to five days, with strategically chosen checkpoints. This ensured that the drivers stayed and celebrated together each evening. Starting in Anuradhapura and finishing in Weligama, drivers raced between checkpoints, times recorded and accumulated daily.
Throughout the race, teams completed ‘side quests’ to reduce their final race time, with details revealed along the journey. The team with the fastest overall time upon reaching Weligama was crowned the winner!
The Route: Retracing Carlie's Steps
The race started in Anuradhapura, with checkpoints in Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Ella, before finishing in Weligama.
Explore the route by clicking on the numbered checkpoints on the map below:
Anuradhapura is an ancient city founded around a sacred fig tree believed to be a cutting from the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Once a thriving capital, it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its palaces, monasteries, and monuments.
Anuradhapura is an ancient city founded around a sacred fig tree believed to be a cutting from the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Once a thriving capital, it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its palaces, monasteries, and monuments.
Anuradhapura is an ancient city founded around a sacred fig tree believed to be a cutting from the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Once a thriving capital, it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its palaces, monasteries, and monuments.
Sigiriya, or “Lion Rock,” is a 5th-century fortress and palace built atop a massive rock. Famous for its frescoes and gardens, it also served as a Buddhist monastery long before becoming a royal residence.
Sigiriya, or “Lion Rock,” is a 5th-century fortress and palace built atop a massive rock. Famous for its frescoes and gardens, it also served as a Buddhist monastery long before becoming a royal residence.
Sigiriya, or “Lion Rock,” is a 5th-century fortress and palace built atop a massive rock. Famous for its frescoes and gardens, it also served as a Buddhist monastery long before becoming a royal residence.
Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhala kings, is home to the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. This historic city is a cultural hub nestled in Sri Lanka’s central highlands.
Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhala kings, is home to the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. This historic city is a cultural hub nestled in Sri Lanka’s central highlands.
Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhala kings, is home to the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. This historic city is a cultural hub nestled in Sri Lanka’s central highlands.
Nuwara Eliya, known as “Little England,” is a hill town famous for its tea plantations and cool climate. It’s a scenic retreat featuring colonial-era architecture and views of Sri Lanka’s tallest mountain.
Nuwara Eliya, known as “Little England,” is a hill town famous for its tea plantations and cool climate. It’s a scenic retreat featuring colonial-era architecture and views of Sri Lanka’s tallest mountain.
Nuwara Eliya, known as “Little England,” is a hill town famous for its tea plantations and cool climate. It’s a scenic retreat featuring colonial-era architecture and views of Sri Lanka’s tallest mountain.
Ella is a tranquil mountain town surrounded by tea plantations and waterfalls. It’s known for its scenic hiking trails, including Ella Rock, and the famous Nine Arches Bridge, offering stunning views and a peaceful retreat.
Ella is a tranquil mountain town surrounded by tea plantations and waterfalls. It’s known for its scenic hiking trails, including Ella Rock, and the famous Nine Arches Bridge, offering stunning views and a peaceful retreat.
Ella is a tranquil mountain town surrounded by tea plantations and waterfalls. It’s known for its scenic hiking trails, including Ella Rock, and the famous Nine Arches Bridge, offering stunning views and a peaceful retreat.
Weligama is a vibrant coastal town known for its sandy bay, traditional stilt fishermen, and the 6th-century Kusta Raja Gala statue. Today, it’s also a popular destination for surfing and beach parties, blending rich history with lively modern culture.
Weligama is a vibrant coastal town known for its sandy bay, traditional stilt fishermen, and the 6th-century Kusta Raja Gala statue. Today, it’s also a popular destination for surfing and beach parties, blending rich history with lively modern culture.
Weligama is a vibrant coastal town known for its sandy bay, traditional stilt fishermen, and the 6th-century Kusta Raja Gala statue. Today, it’s also a popular destination for surfing and beach parties, blending rich history with lively modern culture.
Donate, Share, Join Us!
Your support helps us honour not just Carlie, but everyone we’ve lost. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a lasting impact in their memory. Together, we can champion two incredible causes and fight the silence and stigma surrounding mental health.
This race was a celebration of life, friendship, and the enduring bond we share with those we love, even after they are gone. Whether you donate, share our mission, or support mental health in your community, you’re making a difference.
