fundraising Archives - Page 2 of 5 - Endangered Wildlife Trust

Cricket and Canine Heroes: Jocks of the Bushveld

By Tammy Baker. Donor relations officer for The EWT.

On Saturday, 5th of October, 22 dedicated “Jocks”, passionate about both cricket and conservation, took to the pitch at CCJ Auckland Park to raise funds for wildlife preservation. The Skukuza Snakes won the toss and chose to bat first in their 30-over match. Strong partnerships lead them to a competitive score of 275.

During the innings break, friends and families of the Jocks of the Bushveld were treated to an exciting conservation canine demonstration by the incredible scent detection dog, Remi. This canine superstar showed off his remarkable skills, detecting substances like ammunition, pangolin scales, lion bones, elephant ivory, rhino horn, and even succulents! Remi’s handler, Fudhail, captivated the audience with updates on the critical work he and his scent and tracking dogs, Kisha and Remi, are doing in the Pilansberg to safeguard our precious wildlife.

After a well-deserved lunch and a few refreshing beers, it was time for the second innings. Maria’s Pundas took to the field, hoping to chase down the Snakes’ score. However, the Snakes’ bowlers delivered key wickets, stifling the Pundas’ efforts to build the necessary partnerships. Despite their best efforts, the Pundas fell short by 35 runs, finishing with a total of 240 runs.

With the cricket match concluded, it was time for the highly anticipated Jocks race-a gruelling lap around the field, where the weary cricketers competed in four groups: the Wild Dogs, Wildebeests, Buffaloes, and the Hippos. The cricketers gave it their all, and the crowd cheered on both winners and those who just fell short.

Event organiser Byron Lotter of the Maria’s Pundas addressed the teams after the game, thanking them all for their support and highlighting the importance of supporting a cause such as the EWT. “We all love the bush and take our families there as often as we can. That’s why we support conservation and the EWT – so that our children’s children can enjoy Africa and all of her precious resources for generations to come”, said Byron.

Thank you to all the Jocks and their families for their participation, and special thanks to Byron, Lawrie, and your family for your generosity and your deep love and for Africa and its wildlife. Conservation thanks you.

Rhino Peak Challenge

Rhino Peak Challenge – Highlights

A total of 48 invited ambassadors, including school participants and a mix representing WACT and EWT, set off at 6:30 am from the RPC start line on Saturday. It started as a misty cool morning, with the Rhino Peak hidden from sight, but still present in everyone’s minds. The weather soon cleared up with the Underberg in full colour and all its glory. You seldom escape the wind on the mountains, and this year was no different. If anything, one of the strongest winds I have ever experienced. But the escarpment and the summiting of the peak is always a special and humbling experience. Not to take on the mountain, but to be part of it. However brief. To be part of nature and something that has stood majestically and purposefully through millennia.

The intensity of the climb and the diversity of people that the challenge attracts was apparent in this years finishing times. With our fastest ambassador home in 3hours 19 minutes, and the longest day on the mountain closer to 14 hours!

But this is why our RPC ambassadors do what they do. To protect, appreciate and conserve. To realise that everything is connected. To be immersed in nature, and all of its harsh and beautiful elements, for a magical moment in time.

Thank you to Spurgeon Flemmington from RMA (Running Man Adventures) for knowing that this mountain and this event would raise millions for conservation.

To the event beneficiary partners, WACT and KZN Ezemvelo, whom we work with to protect this important heritage site and the species and people that rely on it.

To every ambassador that not only takes on the challenge of fundraising but of summiting the peak.

To all the EWT ambassadors and personal incredible donors such as the Ford Wildlife Foundation and Go2Africa for supporting our work. This event would not be possible without you, and conservation thanks you.

Painted Wolf Wines take-over the Tasting Room

Wild dogs take over Waterkloof!

The leafy suburb of Waterkloof is in for a real treat during October when Painted Wolf Wines is the featured winery at ‘The Tasting Room” a very popular venue situated at 198 Long St, Waterkloof, Pretoria.

For the entire month of October, the wines of this award-winning, conservation-focused winery will be available to enjoy for lunch, dinner or a sundowner drink with friends! There will also be wine available to take home with you, as the venue also holds a retail liquor licence. Many of the wines that will be on offer are not easily available in Gauteng and guests who attend the ‘new releases’ evening on Thursday 24 October will be the first to sample some exciting new vintages that will be introduced by winemaker, Jeremy Borg. The EWT will also be hosting a conservation presentation on this evening, so be sure to book early if you would like to attend – tickets for all the events are limited.

There are several other events planned for October – details are below. Please get in touch with 087 821 7708 or contact the venue directly for enquiries for bookings.

The dates to diarise are as follows :

3/10 Wine and Meze evening 6.30 for 7pm – R850 for two guests

7/10 – Sip and Print Lino printing 6pm – 9pm – R700 per person

8/10 – Sip and Print Lino printing 6pm – 9pm – R700 per person

9/10 – Sip and Print Lino printing 10am – 1pm – R700 per person

10/10 – Pinotage Dinner with Winemaker Jeremy Borg 6.30 for 7pm – R550 per person

24/10 – New releases and Conservation Dinner with winemaker Jeremy Borg 6.30 for 7pm – R620 per person

Dainfern Golf Day 2024

As ardent lovers of sport and the great outdoors, South Africans are often spotted supporting worthy causes through their participation in sporting days. As part of the EWT’s fundraising efforts, we are touring our beautiful and naturally diverse country to host four golf days in the coming months. The fourth and final event for the year, will be held at Dainfern Golf Club on the 17th of October 2024, proudly sponsored by alex forbes. This is an ideal opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, enjoy playing a few strokes and to support a great cause – the work of the Endangered Wildlife Trust. We still have a few fourballs spots available and there are loads of incredible prizes and goodies for golfers hitting the greens in support of conservation.

Four-ball cost: R5 600 (includes halfway house, dinner and 2x golf carts)
RSVP: To secure your spot, please contact Tammy Baker at Endangered Wildlife Trust via email at tammyb@ewt.org.za or by phone on 082 903 2152.

Don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy a day of golf while supporting a great cause.

Alexforbes is the proud sponsor of this event!

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Julia Van der Riet in London

Julia is a Volunteer fundraiser in the UK for the EWT. Here is a little bit about Julia’s journey to a career in conservation.

Job title: Volunteer fundraiser in the UK

What do you do in your day-day work? I’ll be meeting with UK-based potential donors to get support for different areas of the EWT, likely beginning with the Eye in the Sky project and Soutpansberg. As well as helping with marketing efforts

Location: London

Where did you grow up? Cathedral Peak, Drakensberg

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time? Hiking, running/walking with a good podcast on, painting and cooking.

Any pets? 2 rescue dogs, Monty & Phoebe who live with my parents in SA.

Favourite animal and why: Fish eagle, their call must one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. Or tortoise, for their determination and endearing characteristics.

Favourite food? Pasta

Pet peeve? Litter

Why did you want to work for the EWT? To contribute towards making a difference in the natural world – something I talk about regularly but haven’t yet put into practise in a significant way.

What excites you about this new position? The opportunity to find creative ways of getting people to care more deeply about conservation in Africa, and in turn perhaps globally.

What are you passionate about? Knowledge and expanding my own; sharing and deepening my appreciation for nature.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from? When I’m stressed, my father’s advice is to get up, go for a walk or write down your thoughts, and approach the situation with a fresh perspective.

What is your go-to feel-good song? Walk of Life by the Dire Straits or Sedona by Houndmouth