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The Investec Rainforest Ball, which took place on 16 September 2017, raised over £220,400 to protect critically endangered Sumatran orangutans and their rainforest habitat.
The funds will be split equally between Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and The Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP).
600 people attended the ball in September which included a special performance from Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, from Take That. The trio performed after long-time fans and animal lovers Elaine and Chris Fairfax bid £1.1 million to have a private concert through Children in Need, and gifted it to the organisers of the Ball.
The Royal Jersey Showground was transformed into the rainforest of Sumatra with trees from the Hidden Garden Company and spectacular flowers by Romany Perchard for the evening. Tickets for the event were priced at £500 per person with the final table put to auction in September.
Event organiser, Zoe Hotton, commented: “I am absolutely delighted that the Rainforest Ball raised such a significant sum. I am so passionate about orangutans and I know this money will go a long way to help save these gentle apes. I would really like to thank gold sponsor Investec for their support in making the event such a success.”
Once again Investec will be supporting Durrell as their headline sponsor for the next major event in 2019, the Investec Wilderness Ball, set for 28 September. The occasion will be made even more special by the fact it will mark Durrell’s 60th Anniversary while also celebrating Durrell’s new vision, ‘Rewild our World,' which was launched recently.
Commenting on this announcement, Kevin Allen, Director of Investec said: “I am so pleased that the Investec Rainforest Ball was such a success and most importantly raised such a fantastic sum for Durrell and the SOCP to help protect orangutans in Sumatra.
"It was a really wonderful evening and Investec were proud to sponsor such a prestigious event. Durrell’s commitment to conservation is aligned to Investec’s values of education, entrepreneurship and the environment. We are therefore delighted to continue to support their work by sponsoring their next major event in 2019.”
(Picture: Jersey Events)
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