Like a cereal box toy for grown ups, Dilmah is giving away tiny terracotta elephants in specially marked boxes of tea to raise funds for a Sri Lankan elephant conservation.

Dilmah, in partnership with the MJF Charitable Foundation, have launched new promotional packets of green tea, english breakfast and earl grey tea, proceeds of which will go directly to villagers of Mankada, in south Sri Lanka, to help residents create a sustainable livelihood and continue their ongoing efforts in elephant conservation.

Mankada is situated on the border of the Udawalawe National Park, home to hoards of endangered Indian elephants and the thrid most visited national park in Sri Lanka. Dilmah and MJF have provided pottery facilities, equipment for a new arts and crafts facility and training to the residents, who use their traditional artistic practices to produce artwork that can be sold for the benefit of the whole region.

Three elephant figurines, hand crafted by the villagers of Mankada, are included in every marked pack of Dilmah tea. Three seems an odd number. I'm sure just one would have encouraged me to change brands of tea. But hey, why not?