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Adopt a Cheetah and Win A Trip to South Africa
Above : Kingdom of the cheetah
Pollyanna has recently accepted the role of UK ambassador to
support a remarkable wild cheetah rescue and relocation programme
based in South Africa. A few months ago, Pollyanna had the opportunity
to visit the De Wildt Cheetah Foundation, a remarkable facility
which conducts long term conservation research and education
programs relating to the wild cheetah to ensure its long term
survival. The Centre’s work has resulted in the major
achievement of helping to conserve what was once a threatened
species. During her visit, Pollyanna was able to sketch the
latest cheetah cubs bred for release at De Wildt, and visit
the hospital and rehabilitation unit. She was introduced to
the centres founder, Anne Van Dyk, probably the world’s
leading cheetah expert – research and observation carried
out at De Wildt forms the basis of the majority of our knowledge
about these big cats. For the first time, Pollyanna was able
to see and sketch King Cheetahs with their unusually marked
striped coats.
You and your family can take a special interest in one of De
Wildts’ rehabilitated or relocated wild cheetahs, by adopting
one or more of them. By selecting one of these animals and by
sending your adoption donation to the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife
Trust you will be playing an important role in supporting and
conserving these animals.
Just 300 Adoption packages are exclusively available through
the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation. Anyone who adopts a cheetah
through this scheme will also be entered into a prize draw to
win a Week for two at the De Wildt centre in South Africa, including
flights from the UK, transfers, seven nights board in the cheetah
lodge with breakfast and dinner included, and tour of the De
Wildt cheetah centre, including an exclusive ‘behind the
scenes’ escorted VIP tour of areas not usually open to
visitors, including the hospital area and breeding centre, and
the opportunity to meet an ‘ambassador’ cheetah.
Click here to
choose your cheetah and adoption package and enter the Prize
Draw
Terms and Conditions of Holiday Prize
Draw
If you do not wish to adopt a cheetah, but would still like
to contribute towards the appeal, Click
here to make a secure online donation of £10.00 towards the
cheetah relocation appeal
If you prefer to make a donation by cheque please Click
here for a printable form
As part of our comitment to work with the communities as well
as the wildlife in the countries Pollyanna visites on expedition,
we are currently supporting a remarkable facility for children
in Ethiopia.
While in Ethiopia to study and paint the Simian Wolf, one of
the rarest canines in the world, Pollyanna visited the Child
Care Centre Hohite Misrakin the town of Harar.
Ethiopia is among the poorest countries in the sub-Sahara region
of Africa. The country suffers from repeated droughts, and other
natural disasters leaving millions of hungry, weakened people
susceptible to disease. It is estimated that a million children
have lost one or both children to the HIV virus in the last
two decades. A large number of Ethiopian Children are poverty
stricken and illiterate.
The Child Care Centre offers a beacon of hope for children
orphaned by conflict, Aids or other diseases. Children between
the ages of 5 and 8 are taken into the centre, where they can
stay until they are 15. They are accepted regardless of sex,
tribe, ethnic identity or religion – some have lost both
patents, others have one or both parents who are totally unable
to support them. All the children are provided with a safe,
clean environment, all attend school and have the chance to
go on to further education – giving them an invaluable
opportunity in a country where only 38% of the population are
literate to secure better living conditions in the future for
them and their families.
The centre is currently caring for 131 children – with
only three adult members of staff! This means the children have
to learn to be self-sufficient at a young age – responsible
for cleaning their own dormitories, cooking and washing.
During her visit Pollyanna toured the centre, visiting the
children’s sleeping quarters, before having the opportunity
to meet all 131 residents. “I was very impressed by the
cleanliness of the centre” Pollyanna commented “But
shocked at how spartan and basic the facilities are. Many of
the children do not have a single toy of their own. When they
arrive at the orphanage, they often only have the one set of
clothes they are wearing – and nothing spare to wear while
these are being washed.” The washing facilities are in
fact big stone troughs out in the yard! However the children
do have a lovely green play area outside – and the orphanage
also has its own herd of cattle, which provide milk for the
children, and helps them to learn farming practices and animal
care.
When Pollyanna arrived, the children were all gathered in the
communal hall for a sing along, and were very happy to regale
their visitor with some of their favourite songs. Pollyanna
took the opportunity to chat to several of the children through
the centre manager who translated for her.
“I was very inspired by my visit” Pollyanna said,
“and have promised to try and help through my Foundation.”
The Foundation aims to help initially in two ways :
We will aim to send regular packages of clothes and toys to
the centre.
We are fund-raising to create a reference library for the children.
They have received a grant to build a lovely new library room,
complete with shelves and desks, but have no money to buy books,
and the shelves are currently empty.
How You can help :
We urgently need donations of used children's clothes, in good
condition, suitable for ages 5 – 13, as well as any children’s
toys (except those which use batteries). These can be dropped
off at and exhibitions in Pollyanna's private gallery, or taken
to any of Pollyanna’s talks – or contact us for
alternatives.
If you are able to make a contribution, no matter how small,
towards our initial target of £3,000 to equip the library,
please contact us. Click
here to make a secure online donation of £10.00 towards the
library appeal
If you prefer to make a donation by cheque please Click
here for a printable form
In honour of the Born Free Foundations 25th anniversary, the
trustees of the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation have announced
that the major appeal for 2009 will be one of the most ambitious
yet - to raise £12,000.00 to build an enclosure at Born
Free’s proposed new sanctuary in Ethiopia.
To commemorate their Anniversary Born Free is launching a historic
initiative in Ethiopia. They want to build a new national Wildlife
Rescue Centre on a beautiful 77-hectare site just 30km from
Addis to give a home to animals rescued from appalling captive
condaitions. The centre has vast potential to improve the quality
of life for countless animals and help inspire a nation to protect
its natural heritage. The project has the full support of Ethiopia’s
President, His Excellency Girma Wolde-Giorgis, and they are
working closely with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority.
As part of the appeal, Pollyanna has donated a beautiful original
painting of lions (above), inspired by her visit to the Born
Free sanctuary in Shamwari as the first prize in the Foundation’s
Summer prize draw. Second prize will be a limited edition print,
along with a pair of books signed by Pollyanna, Anna-Louise
and Virginia McKenna. There are another ten runners up prizes
of signed prints etc. Tickets cost £1.00 each, and will
be available from the summer exhibition, and all of Pollyanna’s
talks during the spring season, or by contacting us.
If anyone is able to take extra books of tickets to sell on
behalf of the Foundation, please contact us.
Click
here to make a secure online donation of £10.00 towards the
sanctuary appeal
If you prefer to make a donation by cheque please Click
here for a printable form
The Pollyanna Pickering Foundation is currently working in
collaboration with The Bill Jordan Foundation and the Adam Murry
Foundation to build a rehabilitation and release centre to ensure
the survival of Tigers and Rhinos in Nepal. Land has been secured
in agreement with the Nepalese authorities in the Royal National
Chitwan Park. The park is one of the country's treasures of
natural wonders, covering 932 sq. km of sub tropical lowlands.
It is home to over 50 species of mammals, and 5525 species of
birds.
The rehabilitation and release sanctuary will be the first of
its kind anywhere in the world, and will not only secure the
lives of threatened species, but also bring employment to the
villagers of Nepal, and provide a powerful educational tool
for the country. Once fully developed the sanctuary will also
provide carefully monitored eco tourism opportunities to ensure
that it becomes a self-sustaining project. The Bill Jordan Foundation
has already rescued several tigers from death in this region,
and they are currently housed in a short term rehabilitation
enclosure on the site.
The Pollyanna Pickering Foundation is proud to have raised £9,250.00
so far towards the second stage of this project, and fund-raising
is ongoing
Click
here to make a secure online donation of £10.00 towards the
ltiger orphanage appeal
If you prefer to make a donation by cheque please Click
here for a printable form
The Foundation is continuing in its initial aim to support
British wildlife hospitals. Last year £475.00 was raised
to build a new aviary at the Cedar Wildlife Sanctuary in Nottinghamshire
- she is seen abover presenting the cheque to the owner, Wendy.
Earlier this year, we were delighted to present them with a
second cheque for £700.00 to pay for the rebuild of their
hospital area.
Cedar Wildlife Sanctuary takes in and cares for hundreds of
sick, injured and orphaned wild animals each year. They provide
the necessary care and treatment to get them back to full health,
and then release them into a suitable environment. They are
also happy to provide advice to the public to help them care
for injured wildlife.
You can find out more about their work at www.cedarwildilfehospital.co.uk
We are currently fundraising to buy new hospital cages and
a quick release grasper, as well as further additions to the
hospital block.
Click
here to make a secure online donation of £10.00 towards the
appeal
If you prefer to make a donation by cheque please Click
here for a printable form
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