Animal rescue centre in Edenvale raises funds
The event raised R7 157, and Mamba Security donated R30 000.
The NPO animal shelter Brainy Birds partnered with Mister Global SA finalist JP Geldenhuys for a fundraiser on April 20.
The NPO is a parrot rescue and rehabilitation centre in Edenvale.
The fundraiser attendees were encouraged to donate items such as blankets and towels. They then browsed the various food stalls and toured the premises.The event raised R7 157, and Mamba Security donated R30 000.
Geldenhuys, an Edenvale resident, said he chose the NPO because he owns parrots and it is close to home.
“This is something I care about,” he explained.
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This was the first time he entered a men’s beauty contest, and he was grateful for the opportunity.
He said he entered the contest to grow, find new passions and get out of his comfort zone.
He is currently one of the top 16 finalists.
One of the lessons he learnt from entering the pageant is that it is okay not to be okay.
“To be in that vulnerable situation and see what actions you must take and the people you must pull into your life who can help you grow and become a more positive person and better pillar of strength for others,” said Geldenhuys.
And that it is okay to ask for help and to cry, something he advocates for.
He urged the community to support the NPO.
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“You don’t need to change the world. Making one person’s life better changes their world, which is already part of our journey and what we are trying to achieve. We all think charity is about changing the world and making everything different and better.”
To follow his journey, follow the Mister Global social pages – www.facebook.com/OfficialMisterGlobal/, www.instagram.com/officialmisterglobal/?hl=en, www.facebook.com/misterglobalsouthafrica/
Brainy Birds manager Natalie Sutherland said the NPO always looks to fundraise and gain support.
“We also spend a lot of time creating awareness about the plight of parrots. Our silent mission is to help save the planet one parrot at a time; that can only come with awareness and education,” Sutherland said.
She describes the event as a first of its kind. “It is something completely different. No one has done a Mister Global thing which attracts people’s attention.
“The event was well covered and supported. We want to showcase what we recently accomplished with building a new house for all of our African greys,” added Sutherland.
ALSO READ: Edenvale SPCA gives thanks for the annual fundraiser
In attendance was Nelius du Preez, the contest director.
Du Preez said the contest is a franchise of the international pageant that forms part of the top six grand slam male pageants globally.
“The idea is to have men of the essence. We need to know that men can have a sustainable and impact-driven change that they give back to the community. It is not about the looks but personality and knowing who the individual is and what they are about,” Du Preez said.
