Founder of Rocking for Rhinos is going to new heights in Fourways
PAULSHOF – Gareth Putter is facing his fears in order to speak for rhinos under threat as he enters the Rhino Tower for a full calendar month
According to the Flying for Rhino and Conservation Trust, on average one rhino is killed every seven hours at the hands of poachers.
The slaughter seems endless, but there are those fighting it and they need our support.
Gareth Putter, the founder of the Rocking for Rhinos non-profit organisation, is going the distance to raise funds for five organisations (including Flying for Rhino) that fight rhino poaching in South Africa. But the distance he is going is up – Putter will attempt to spend one full calendar month up in a tower made of scaffolding located at the Montecasino Bird Gardens, a whopping 16m off the ground, without coming down at all. Besides bringing awareness to the rhino’s plight, he hopes to also raise between R2 million and R3 million during the month.
“I’m trying to motivate the corporate world to become involved, as well as ordinary people involved,” Putter told Fourways Review as the scaffolding was being constructed.
“I’m challenging people to spend an hour up in the tower – representatives of companies can come up for an hour with a minimum donation of R10 000 and individuals for R2 000.”
Putter will ascend on 26 April and will only descend on 26 May, spending a full 30 days in a small room right at the tower’s top. Although he will have some electricity to see with and to broadcast on social media, he will need to wash in a bucket and will also be unable to cook for himself. Sponsored and completely vegan meal packs from the Fussy Vegan restaurant will be delivered once a day.
The real challenge, though, will be the height.
“I’m not a fan of heights,” he admitted. I went up halfway [just after the structure was erected] and my legs were already shaking.
“This will be very challenging, but I hope my personal sacrifice will be a catalyst for people to change. Our planet is dying and most people are too concerned with the high life to do anything.”
The organisations he is raising funds for are doing something: The Protrack Rhino Task Team is the oldest and largest anti-poaching unit in South Africa; the Black Mambas organisation works within rural communities to educate and uplift the people who live near reserves; the Flying For Rhino and Conservation Trust provides free air support to reserves caring for endangered animals; Pit-Track uses trained dogs as well as humans to provide protection on the ground; and Saving the Survivors cares for animals affected by poaching.
Details: www.rockingforrhinos.org.za
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