Last chance to support the rhinos atop the Rhino Tower at Montecasino

PAULSHOF – There are only a few days left to support Gareth Putter's fundraising efforts from the top of his Rhino Tower at Montecasino.

May 23, 2019

Robyn Kirk 1 minute read

Gareth Putter has spent nearly a full calendar month at the top of a 16-metre high scaffolding tower to raise money for organisations that fight rhino poaching. Photo: Robyn Kirk

Only about R140 000 has been raised by the man living atop the Rhino Tower at Montecasino, a fraction of the R3 million he had hoped for.

On 26 April, Gareth Putter of Rocking for Rhinos ascended the tower, which is 16 meters tall, where he planned to live for a full calendar month.

Putter undertook this challenge in order to raise funds for five non-profit organisations that work to fight rhino poaching across the country, and will come down from his post on 26 May. However, support from corporates has been much lower than hoped for.

To raise funds, corporates were invited to spend an ‘hour up the tower’ for a fee of R10 000. The general public is able to ascend the tower to the four-meter platform at a donation of R20 per child and R150 per adult, and any member of the public can ascend to meet Putter for a fee of R5 000.

“A lot of individuals have been getting involved and our crew [supporting Gareth in the tower] has grown. Weekends have been our busiest times,” Putter told the Fourways Review on 17 May, as he faced his last week on the tower. “Corporate support has not been as much as hoped for though.

“I know R3 million seems like a lot, but there’s a reason the goal was set that high: There are five non-profits sharing the money, and each has a lot of expenses that they need to cover. We’ve raised a lot of awareness through this campaign, which is great, but these organisations also need money.”

Gareth Putter has been disappointed in the support so far, which has not raised the R3 million he hoped it would. Photo: Robyn Kirk

There is still time for the public to make a difference and support rhinos before Putter comes down at 3pm on 26 May.

“We’ve added another deck to the tower, which is 18 metres high, and members of the public can come up for complimentary sundowners and snacks for a group of six if they make a R2 500 donation.

“We will also have guest speakers in the tower each day, who will talk about their work with wildlife conservation during live streams.”

For more details, visit the Rocking For Rhinos Facebook page.

Also check out: