Desert Lion Project- We need your help!

[Spikepretorius]

Desert Lion Project

Thanks to Scott for kindly allowing me to post this thread!

The lions of the Namib Desert are facing extinction. The Desert Lion Project is a genuine conservation effort to protect and nurture the Namibian desert lions for future generations. To save them from extinction! There's no fancy offices and gravy train. These people live on a shoestring with the little support that they get from private individuals. The project is run using a very old clapped out Hilux with parts missing and a few Landrover panels rivitted on. These are the most dedicted conservationists that I have ever seen.

http://www.desertlion.info/

Here is a photo of the vehicle that they currently use to move amongst the lions in the desert for months at a time

The Land Cruiser Club of Southern Africa (LCCSA) have taken the initiative to raise funds to buy them a replacement double cab Land Cruiser. The WWF will further match our donation with a donation of $35 000 to the project provided we produce the goods and meet our obligation. Toyota SA will provide ZAR15 000 with a little smallprint. Apart from the two donations above, we need to raise ZAR350 000- ZAR400 000. ($44 000- $50 000)

Up to yesterday we had raised in the region of ZAR41 000 by way of member donations and online auctions. As only one example, I donated a bottle opener for auction and it went for ZAR7000! (the equivalent of a teachers monthly salary down here) There have been many similar fantastic bids. Each individual active member had voluntarily undertaken to pay in a minimum donation ZAR150 but most have been donating much more than that.

Last night the Cape Town members held an auction at the premises of R&D Offroad and raised a further ZAR18 000+. Only 25 of us there but the guys dug deep.

An indication of the generosity: A plastic fork from a fast food joint that was in my truck and accidently ended up on the bidding table got auctioned for ZAR100 then auctioned a second time for ZAR600.

This is the kind of spirit and generosity that is being shown to a fantastic cause that will help save the desert lions from extinction and preserve them for future generations. But we are still far from our goal of funding the vehicle. While the poor exchange rate makes our donations look tiny, in South African Rands (ZAR) terms the guys are donating huge amounts

If you or your company/business would like to contribute to this cause, any amount from $1-00 to infinity, you can make your donation here:

Land Cruiser Club - SA
Standard Bank of SA Ltd
Acc No: 022719997
Branch: Sandton
Branch code: 019205
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ
For Beneficiary/Recipient reference please enter DLP- EXPO

Then send proof of payment to rbergh @ global.co.za so he can keep tab of donations eminating from this forum.
(and feel free to post your donation in this thread so we can see your generosity)

I challenge you! And thank you.

Expedition Portal will receive exposure. The combined total contribution coming from Expedition Portal will be acknowledged and published on the LCCSA site, on the Desert Lions site, as well as on the 4x4community.co.za site once the fundraising project is completed.

 

[Lynn]

You know, this may be a little off-the-wall, but I wonder what would happen if you auctioned off that truck on eBay?

I mean, you hear stories of people paying really outrageous amounts for really stupid stuff. If you had it on eBay.com.us, if nothing else it would give you yet another form of publicity for donations, and at best you might find several philanthropists who would compete for the chance to 'buy' it.

Of course, you would have to specify that they pay all shipping charges, etc., but a proper philanthropist may not even care to take possession of the truck once they've won it. Then again, they may want the truck as 'yard art' to show off their generosity. That truck certainly has character.

Just a thought. I wish you all the best in your efforts.

 

[Spikepretorius]

Now that is a brilliant idea. I'm going to make enquiries.:luxhello:

 

[Lynn]

You know, there are a lot of zoos, 'exotic wildlife ranches,' and such here in the US that have mock safari rides, drive-throughs, or exhibits.

Maybe you could suggest in your eBay ad that the winning philanthropist donate the truck to such an attraction, where it would make a really nice static display. It doesn't get any more authentic than that truck! Matter of fact, I think it would be a perfect addition to Disney World's Kilmanjaro Safari truck ride.

That way the philanthropist gets his name on a plaque, "donated by ...", and you could put the web site of the conservation group on the side of the truck, possibly generating ongoing donations.

I'm loving this idea, and just wish I were the philanthropist to make it happen.

 

[Spikepretorius]

Thanks for all the ideas. I've asked the LCCSA head honchos to query this with the desert lion guys to see if they don't already have it earmarked for something. It will take a little while because they are apparently out in the wilds at the moment.

But the wheels have already been put in motion.

Thanks again.

 

[Lynn]

By the way, I love your sig line.

Hmmm, does this truck have a diesel engine? It won't need it in a static display. Maybe I need to somehow become your US intermediary, and, um, 'hold' the truck while the winning bidder figures out where to display it...

 

[FlyNdrive]

I would actually bid for something like that. It would look good at the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park.

-Ben

 

[Martyn]

Spike, I know there are many of us who would like to make donations to the cause, but the cost of international wire transfers are high. Something like $35.00 per transaction.

What I suggest is we put together an auction here in the US, gather the proceeding up and wire the funds as one transaction. The funds can consist of individual donations as well as the money from the auction.

The items to be auctioned can come from individuals or companies. I don't mind setting up the logistics if people are interested.

 

[DaktariEd]

:iagree: with Martyn...
I'm in, but let's find a more efficient way to donate/transfer funds. Martyn's idea is sound.

 

[Spikepretorius]

Guys, anything and everything is gratefully welcome. $35 a pop is a lot of cash to waste. I know our bank charges are exhorbitant but didn't realise it was so hectic from your side.

Just one thing please. The donation must still please come via the LCCSA and not directly to the project. There is apparently smallprint with the WWF and their donation is subject to us doing our side of the deal. They have a reciprocal arrangement that if we raise "X" they'll add "y". So if we don't make it then the deal falls flat.

All substantial donations we receive will get published so EXPO's contributions will not get lost in the pot. Just remember

For Beneficiary/Recipient reference please enter DLP- EXPO

Thanks for anything and everything


edit: In the meantime I'll try find out more about the WWF angle and what sort of deadline there is for us to produce the goods.

 

[DesertRose]

Spike, I know there are many of us who would like to make donations to the cause, but the cost of international wire transfers are high. Something like $35.00 per transaction.

What I suggest is we put together an auction here in the US, gather the proceeding up and wire the funds as one transaction. The funds can consist of individual donations as well as the money from the auction.

The items to be auctioned can come from individuals or companies. I don't mind setting up the logistics if people are interested.

Overland Journal is in - we'll donate an "Overland Field Kit" (subscription and goodies) for the auction, and if your timeline will fit, I'd love to run a photo of the old truck and the story of the Desert Lion Project and auction in the OJ Conservation Column for spring - but it won't ship til later in April.

 

[DesertRose]

Spike, I know there are many of us who would like to make donations to the cause, but the cost of international wire transfers are high. Something like $35.00 per transaction.

What I suggest is we put together an auction here in the US, gather the proceeding up and wire the funds as one transaction. The funds can consist of individual donations as well as the money from the auction.

The items to be auctioned can come from individuals or companies. I don't mind setting up the logistics if people are interested.

Why not set up an eBay 'store' and have a 2-week auction - those of us donating items provide you with the pictures and details.

Final amount can be transferred either by Paypal or by bank wire (latter would be cheaper since the price is same no matter how much you raise).

 

[Martyn]

Why not set up an eBay 'store' and have a 2-week auction - those of us donating items provide you with the pictures and details.

Final amount can be transferred either by Paypal or by bank wire (latter would be cheaper since the price is same no matter how much you raise).

That sounds interesting. Anyone ever set up an e bay store?

 

[Spikepretorius]

Thanks a lot guys. This is getting exciting.

The WWF guy will apparently be back in Namibia in the beginning of April so we'll confirm details regarding any time-constaints etc then.

Martyn I leave it in your capable hands. Thanks bud.


Rose thanks for the Pm. I'll get back to you about timing and pictures

 

[Martyn]

I've done some research on E Bay stores and it sounds do-able.

If you have something you would like to offer for auction please e mail me a picture, short description, where it's located, and price you think it may fetch. If it's included in the auction I'll e mail you back for more details.

If you do put something into the auction be ready to get e mails from me with peoples questions on the items and be ready to send me replies.

It would be nice if the items were new, I really don't want to deal with any junk that people are trying to off load.

Let's see if there is a large enough volume of items to justify opening a store.

If any of you are "experts" at this please donate your knowledge to me. I'll take care of the day to day stuff.

Let's get the ball rolling.