THE fundraising efforts for local NPO, Monkey Helpline, was a smashing success last on Saturday, 11 January, as more than 400 people attended the event. Dozens of professional and novice drummers performed at the event, where more than R10 000 was raised.
Smit, one of the founding members of the NPO, estimated that more than half a million rand needed to be raised for the NPOs planned rehabilitation centre at the Thula Thula Game Reserve in Zululand.
With monkey rescues increasing drastically in recent months Smit and fellow rescuer, Carol Booth, are in desperate need of new enclosures where the primates can be moved for the rehabilitation stage necessary prior to their release.
The dream is to build three open air enclosures along with other necessary buildings, such as a clinic, staff and volunteer accommodation, on the 400 h land donated by the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization.
Smit and event organizers were pleased with the turnout. “We had an absolutely fantastic turnout. I spent about 30 minutes searching for parking. Everyone we spoke to had a great time,” he said.
