Gareth Putter comes back down to earth

After 30 days, Gareth Putter has come back down to earth with R200 000 for five non-profit organisations which work to protect rhinos.

Putter, who is the founder of the Rocking For Rhinos organisation, spent a full calendar month (from 26 April until 26 May) living atop a 16m-tall tower made of scaffolding. The tower was decorated with photos of rhinos (one of the most endangered animals in the world) and was located outside the bird gardens at Montecasino. Thanks to public and corporate participation, he managed to raise about R200 000, although this was much lower than the R3 million he was hoping for. Some items were still being auctioned off to add to this number

While up the tower, Putter live-streamed on social media, welcomed members of the public and corporate sponsors to visit his one-room living quarters and hosted live broadcasts with animal experts.

“Being up the tower was a very busy time for me dealing with all the press and production of the tower. I literally worked on the production every day for 30 days straight,” Putter told Fourways Review after returning to his home town of Hoedspruit in Limpopo. “Other than being away from my fiance and son, that was the toughest part of the challenge.”

Putter added that during his quest, support from members of the public was one of the most positive parts of the experience for him. He was somewhat disappointed by corporate participation though, a reason why he thinks he did not achieve his target amount.

“[Members of] the general public saying that what I was doing was inspiring to them was one of the main reasons I did this challenge – so that I could inspire others to give a damn and stand up for nature. I wish there had been more support from corporate South Africa but also understand that a lot of companies have their budgets planned a year in advance.”

He hopes people who heard about his adventure are inspired to make a change in the world.

“The planet’s natural resources are running out and there is an extremely fine balance with regards to everything working in unison in nature. Humans really need to start looking at the role we play and the impact we have in regards to this balance.”

The five non-profit organisations which received an equal share of the funds raised by Putter were the Black Mamba anti-poaching unit, Pit-Track, Flying for Rhino, the Protrack Rhino Task Team and Saving the Survivors.

Details: www.rockingforrhinos.org.za

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UPDATE: Gareth Putter ascends 16m high scaffolding tower for the Rhino