Generous Bids for Ape Action Africa
For someone who rarely graces the charity gala scene let alone wears black tie, when it came time to auction items generously donated by businesses in Bristol on behalf of Ape Action Africa, my eyes were well and truly opened!
Either the wine was doing the talking or people who had paid to come to support the charity’s work on primate conservation were digging deep – and I’m pretty sure it was the latter – but the amount raised to help keep the conservation centre in Cameroon going was staggering.
The bidding was brilliantly hosted by Jamie Breese, who really got into his stride as the last item came up for auction. The prize was no less than a small unpainted Wow! Gorilla, held back by the artist for Ape Action Africa. For those who don’t know what the Wow! Gorilla is click here … a fantastic marketing campaign to highlight the plight of the great ape and raise money for conservation.
This now iconic fibre glass shape, whose larger compatriots had been auctioned for tens of thousands earlier in the month, caused an excitment that reached fever pitch as the bids flowed thick and fast. The last emblematic gorilla finally sold for £2700. Just one of many great items that went under the hammer and raised desperately needed funds for this fantastic organisation.
Congratulations to the organisers and to Caroline McLaney, CEO, who made it to the auction despite suffering from the after-effects of maleria! I was also pleased to see that Mendip Media’s pro-bono video was shown during the evening. We’ll continue to support Ape Action Africa by archiving and editing and filming for it whenever the need arises.