CACH received a substantial donation this week of SAR 25,000. from an Australian donor. That is significant in itself, but what makes this donation so exciting is that the funds were raised by a 15 year old.
Meet Edward Bourke, who founded his very own registered Foundation last year - when he was 14 years old. See www.savingthelion.org
Edward writes:
"I was 14 when I started Saving The Lion Foundation (I am now 15), because I saw a huge lack in public awareness, around the plight of the lion in the wild, and in captivity, for example, bad zoos such as Lujan Zoo in Argentina, and Dehiwala Zoo in Sri Lanka. We have been very lucky to have such amazing support from the public, which has helped us become one of the worlds leading organisations, for raising awareness around the plight of the lion in the wild, and in captivity.
In the last year, I have also met with Greg Hunt MP (Australian Federal Minister for the Environment), and Jason Wood MP (Federal Member for La Trobe), who are helping us work against the Lion Bone trade, which has become very popular in China, with the advent of a crackdown on tiger bone. Both Minister Hunt and Mr. Wood, have become Ambassadors for our foundation, and are amazing conservationists.
I have learned so much since becoming involved with conservation, and animal welfare, and I have had the pleasure of working with amazing people. Fighting for the lion is something that I love, and something I will always do."