We put the fun in fundraising!
Find out what we do to raise the much-needed funds that help to support essential conservation projects and inspire the conservationists of the future. Get involved!
Welcoming our latest student, Thato, to the ARC programme.
We are pleased to welcome our latest ARC student Thato Mashigo from Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
As an undergraduate Thato studied at the University of Limpopo and was awarded a degree Molecular and Life Sciences with specializations in Microbiology and Zoology. This led to postgraduate studies in Zoology and Wildlife Management Engineering at both the University of Limpopo and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Thato was appointed Environmental Education Officer by the South African National Biodiversity Institute at the National Zoological Garden. It was here she was introduced to the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project (MGHP) in Bela-Bela, Limpopo through the “Hot Birds” project. Participation in cross-provincial academic and field research initiatives facilitated by MGHP has solidified her resolve to collaborate with dedicated professionals towards safeguarding this species.
Thato aspires to pursue doctoral studies focused on Southern Ground-Hornbill conservation while gaining value experience and contributing to scientific discourse within the conservation community.
Welcome Thato!
Supporting The Friends of Ashton with much needed funding
Registered as a charity in Scotland, The Friends of Ashton helps Ashton Secondary School, an additional needs school, in Glasgow. The school’s pupils all have complex and profound learning and physical disabilities and are unable to thrive in a mainstream setting.
In 2021, the school embarked on the creation of a wheelchair accessible horticultural and sensory garden to give pupils an opportunity to explore and develop their senses of touch, smell, sight, sound and taste and therefore heighten their understanding of the world around them. They now plan to develop this project further, by bringing the outdoors to pupils and are particularly keen to attract hedgehogs, a variety of birds and butterflies – in particular the endangered Marsh Fritillary (pictured).
Through this project, the school’s pupils will observe the outdoors first-hand and see how wind, rain, snow and hot weather affect plants and animals. In so doing, the proposed wheelchair accessible project will enrich the curriculum as well as support the learning of pupils with lesser challenges, enhancing their communication skills.
We are delighted to support The Friends of Ashton and look forward to seeing the garden when its complete.
Hornbill inspired art show and auction
The unique and elegant beauty of the Southern Ground Hornbill was the subject for our first art show and auction, which raised much needed funds to help preserve and maintain their natural habitat. We thank all the artists for giving their valuable time and exceptional talents to create so many stunning images.
Hornbills on the District Line
Our friends and supporters at Haggard Crowther Chartered Accountants have chosen the Southern Ground Hornbill to feature in their latest poster advertisement on the London Underground. The glorious, vibrant colours of the Hornbill are sure to catch the eye of commuters at Parsons Green station.
Alf Rewin awarded his Posthumous Science Foundation Degree
Alf was awarded his Science Foundation degree posthumously in January 2020. David Mackintosh, Dean of Science, Engineering and Computing said a few words about Alf, before Prof Martyn Jones, the deputy vice-chancellor, conferred the degree, handing over the certificate to his mum, Dee.
