WECare Worldwide
Aspire UCS Charity Tuk Tuk Challenge - Sri Lanka, November 2023
A Wild Ride for Charity – and an Unexpected Visit that Changed Everything
After five intense days driving a fully “pimped-up” Tuk Tuk—essentially a wheelbarrow powered by a motorbike engine—across 470 km of unpredictable weather and challenging terrain, all in the name of charity, we finally reached the moment we’d been dreaming of: a well-earned rest on the beach, grateful to have survived the adventure, sipping a much-deserved G&T.
But of course, we couldn’t just stop there.
Jules had heard about WECare Worldwide, the only veterinary hospital on the island, known for its extraordinary work caring for the millions of street dogs and cats. Naturally, we asked if we could visit—and even offer some ultrasound training while we were there.
What we discovered was beyond anything we expected.
We were welcomed by an incredible team of vets, nurses, and local volunteers, all working together to support the mission of the remarkable Dr Janey Lowes, the British vet who founded the charity. The hospital itself—a former primary school—operated with plastic sheeting protecting electrical equipment from a leaky roof. Every corner was occupied by animals recovering from devastating injuries and illnesses, each one receiving unwavering love and expert care.
The work being done here is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
If you’ve seen Janey’s story on Ben Fogle’s New Lives in the Wild, you’ll know just how far this charity has come. From neutering and vaccinating street animals to rehabilitating and re-wilding them once healed, WECare’s impact is profound. They now operate a fully equipped mobile hospital—funded entirely by donations—along with ambulances to rescue the sick and injured.
And this is where Angie met Maple Syrup.
Maple Syrup, a one-eyed cutie, had been hit by a train at just eight weeks old, leaving her with a broken jaw (hence her iconic snaggle-tooth) and the loss of her right eye. Despite everything, this little fighter radiated charm. By the end of our training session, it was obvious: Maple Syrup had stolen Angie’s heart.
Maple Syrup and her friends
April 2025 - Maple Syrup Arrives in The UK
After an incredible journey spanning five countries in just 48 hours, little Maple Syrup finally arrived safely at her new home in North Wales—touching down via Paris and ready to start her new life. Once timid and easily startled by anything that moved (from bikes and cars to wheelie bins and pushchairs), Maple slowly settled into the peaceful rhythm of family life on a Welsh mountainside.
There were a few bumps along the way, particularly while adjusting to life alongside ten-year-old Lillie, the household matriarch. But true to her street-smart spirit, Maple soon found her confidence. Today, she’s proudly assumed the role of pack leader and is absolutely thriving.
She even recently “watched” the New Lives in the Wild: Revisited episode, featuring the incredible progress being made at WECare Worldwide—and was delighted to see that many of her old roommates are doing wonderfully. Her best friend, three-legged Shitake, has also found a loving home here in the UK.
Life for Maple now is everything she deserves: long beach walks, cosy evenings loafing in front of the woodburner, and spirited games involving every sofa cushion in sight. And despite having just one eye, she can still spot a pigeon from an impressive distance! She’s even in early training to become an Aspire UCS scan-dog model in the future.
Continuing or Support for WECare Worldwide
Aspire UCS proudly provides ongoing online ultrasound training to the WECare veterinary team whenever it’s needed. We also support the charity through monthly donations, helping fund their life-changing work.
If Maple’s story has touched your heart and you’d like to help WECare Worldwide continue their incredible efforts—caring for injured and sick street animals, supporting neutering and vaccination programmes, or contributing to their new hospital—you can make a donation below.
Every contribution, large or small, directly improves the lives of Sri Lanka’s vulnerable street dogs and cats, and we’ve seen firsthand just how far your support can go.