Help Edenvale brothers fight poaching
“They have beautiful characteristics and are animals with such personalities."
Two Edenvale-born brothers plan to raise R67 000 for the Timbavati Anti Poaching Unit to help the voiceless.
Edenvale’s Graeme and Benoni’s Greg Mitchley will unite under the banner of the Greg Mitchley Foundation (GMF) to raise money and awareness for South Africa’s rhinos.
The brothers plan to leave Johannesburg on July 12 and document their journey to and inside the Kruger National Park.
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In the park, the duo will showcase South Africa’s beautiful flora, fauna and landscapes.
They aim to find and show as many rhinos as possible for those following their journey.
Because of the methods used by poachers to track rhinos, images and footage of them will only be shared later in the day after they were seen.
They will use Skakuza as a base camp and travel around the park.
The seven-day journey will coincide with Mandela Day, July 18. This is the day that Graeme and Greg plan to deliver the cheque to Timbavati.
Graeme said with people living near the national park, poaching of all animals occurs often.
While other animals are often poached for bush meat, rhinos are poached only for their horns.
According to Graeme, a gram of rhino horn can cost thousands of rands and is mainly sought in East Asian countries for the medical, aphrodisiac and traditional beliefs tied to them.
As per recent statistics, he said three rhinos are being poached a day in SA.
Graeme, an educator for the past 27 years, has an intense passion and admiration for rhinos.
Over the last 10 years, he has raised funds and awareness for animals using education as a tool to do so.
Over the last four years, Graeme has raised more than R60 000 for several rhino orphanages through birthday fundraisers.
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Not working alone, Hurlyvale Primary School’s community has also assisted Graeme in his efforts.
In recognition of his work, Graeme was invited to the Rhino Awards.
“Society often blames the poachers, but they are just the people doing the work, sometimes out of desperation.
“Rhino poaching is controlled by high-powered people who make use of middlemen who stay near the national reserves.”
Although Graeme has a love for all SA wildlife, his passion to help rhinos started because of their plight.
“Growing up and interacting with nature over the years is how my love for rhinos grew. They have beautiful characteristics and are animals with such personalities.”
Greg, the founder of GMF, said he has always had a passion to help those in need.
The foundation focuses on helping the underprivileged, the elderly and the youth, trying to give a voice to the voiceless.
Last year Greg walked from Benoni to Durban over 14 days to raise funds for Paralympian Kirsty Weir.
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He said R50 000 was raised in addition to the foundation assisting several cancer patients with treatment costs.
Greg said since the foundation’s establishment he has wanted to branch out and assist animals in need too.
He said partnering with his brother on this campaign was the prime opportunity to try and do so.
Besides raising funds and showcasing SA’s beauty the brothers said they hope to make the campaign as educational as possible.
They plan to do this by informing followers about the procedure of the camps, walking around the park’s camp and educating them about nature while on their journey.
Graeme said the amount selected to donate, R67 000, represents the 67 minutes of kindness many give back on Mandela Day.
Although a large amount he explained that antipoaching is a costly exercise and any funds donated would be greatly appreciated.
Businesses, community members and wildlife lovers are encouraged to support the campaign and provide a voice to the voiceless.
Donations can be made to:Bank: Capitec business account
Account name: Admiring Love NPC trading as the GMF.
Branch code: 450905.
Account type: current account.
Account number: 1051217059
Reference: name and surname.
Swift Address: CABLZAJJ
