Earlier this month the Animal Aid Abroad (AAA) fundraising luncheon was held at the Pagoda Hotel, South Perth. AAA aims is to improve the living conditions and treatment of companion, working and farm animals around the world. It was founded by WA’s very own Janet Thomas in 2007 and currently runs projects in India, Nepal and Egypt, the latter being home to a 24 hour vet clinic set up in conjunction with Animal Aid Egypt – one of the few clinics in the city.
We attended the lunch with 20 friends, all of whom were keen to support AAA and participate in the day fully – which they did by bidding on the auction items and winning two of the raffle baskets! The event featured a lovely table-buffet luncheon, live and silent auctions, raffles, prizes, merchandise and contests. MC Nicholas Duncan was masterful on the mike, and guest speaker Lorenzo Montesini was enthralling when he spoke about life in Egypt and how he came to be involved with AAA after rescuing a tiny kitten found on an Alexandria beach.
Houndstooth Studio sponsored the event by donating a studio pet photo session, a framed Blue Clams limited edition print, and several of our images printed on canvas or mounted on aluminium – courtesy of our generous suppliers who manufactured and printed them pro bono. Some of my online friends from the website Red Bubble also sent through photographs at their expense! Such awesome supporters of this worthy charity!
One of the more expensive items up for grabs was a painting by artist Lauren Wilhelm valued at $1500 and it was quickly snapped up at auction after a hotly contended bidding war!
It was also refreshing to see other animal charity groups supporting the event, with Bali Dog, SAVE, Cats Haven, and Free the Bears all in attendance!
AAA was hoping to raise $10,000 from the event – and they did, making just over their desired amount! So happy that they achieved their target as the funds will now be used to continue helping animals overseas, and to fund the vet clinic.
Many of the horses and donkeys in Egypt are working animals and are forced to continue pushing on regardless of pain from poor health. Just $4 buys a fly net to prevent fly strike.
