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The auction lots are in, the books have been signed, and our final tally is here: the final fundraised figure for Wild Nights Out in Buxton and London with Chris Packham and Paul Goldstein is an incredible £50,000 for SAFE Kenya.
Chris and Paul
SAFE Kenya
This phenomenal grand total is exciting enough on its own. But it becomes even more impressive when you learn that this amount will keep operations running in Kenya for this project for the next two years without any further fundraising.
Your generosity has ensured that the pressures of fundraising have been removed, which means more time can be spent focusing on their mission to end FGC in Maasai communities.
That is incredible.
Community in KenyaTo do this, Chris and Paul dazzled, entertained, and at times even mocked two packed out halls with their fascinating presentations. It was the high standard of the evening we’ve come to expect from this dynamic duo – insightful commentary, passionate and opinionated conversation, and of course incredible wildlife photography.
Paul in action
Chris in action
Then there were the auction lots. The ever-popular auction saw bidding from the stalls to up in the gods for exquisite canvases of Chris and Paul’s photographs, top-quality binoculars and lenses and of course, two places on our exclusive photographic charter for 2018. Thank you to everyone who bid, and congratulations to the triumphant winners.
Wild Nights Out
Where does this money all go? Your donations will be spent in Kenya, where a Maasai-led project aims to end the practice of FGC. Female genital circumcision, often known as female genital mutilation or FGM, is common amongst the Maasai community, but SAFE is having huge success in reducing the practice through community engagement and introducing an alternative rite of passage. Your money will help them continue this process until FGC is totally abandoned.
We’d like to take this opportunity to once again thank our attendees and supporters. We couldn’t have done it without our amazing sponsors Jet Airways, Lenses For Hire and Swarovski Optik, and we’d like to say a huge thank you to the volunteers at the Buxton Opera House whose hard work helped a brilliant night go off without a hitch.
We’re also grateful to Exodus’ Alice Bzowska, whose photographs here so perfectly capture the spirit of the London event.
Finally, we’re grateful to you and your donations that have made the event such a success, and ensured that the charity can continue with their work.
If you’d like to visit Kenya and see how the money has been spent, take a look at our tours below.
