Animals Asia

China Trek 2011 – October 2011

You can view the videos of this event here (more content to follow) :

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Goodwood House, October 8th 2010

Hosted by Lady Richmond at Goodwood House this event brought together over 120 like-minded people – to promote and raise funds for the work performed by Animals Asia across the world.

The evening started with a champagne reception and you were invited to tour the house itself, and view some of the amazing exhibits. We were then given an update by David Neale and Jill Robinson about some of the success stories this year – and how they’ve re-educated the staff at some of the prime Asian Zoos in Bear husbandry. It was great to see the changes embraced by the zoo staff – and the much improved conditions for the bears once those changes to the bear’s environment were made. Virginia McKenna OBE then spoke on behalf of the Born Free Foundation, and as supporters for AAF.

After a sumptuous three course meal (vegetarian of course!) the auction was conducted by the BBC’s Martin Roberts from “Homes Under the Hammer“.

After a slow start (people were holding back for the main items!) – the tension rose when a framed paw print of Rupert was brought onto the stage. A mysterious telephone bidder (identified as Susan Barnes) was in hot competition with Mike & Tracie! We quickly got the price up to £1,500 and on Susan’s last bid of £1,550 we graciously conceded defeat!

Donated by the Southampton Support Group – Mike & Tracie decided that a nice jeroboam of Veuve Clicquot would go down nicely for the Christmas Party – and we snapped that up for £375!

Now firmly in the hot-seat, along with Sarah Barnes, we quickly got into the spirit of things and picked up a limited edition print by Gary Hodges of a brown bear cub. We were also delighted to bid and win four tickets to see Andrea Bocelli at the O2 on 12th November.

The main item, though, that everyone wanted was an original pencil drawing by award winning artist Richard Symonds. This was his first contribution to Animals Asia. The price quickly rose from its reserve of £1,500 to £3,750. With two people going head-to-head we stepped in at £4,250. Then, in a very clever move, the auctioneer asked Richard, who was in the audience, if he could re-create 2 more – and sign them! He agreed !! So, three people ended up with an original – and AAF benefited by £12,000 in “one” auction item !