The Gorilla Organization
We’re really excited, and a little daunted, to be a key sponsor for the Gorilla Organization’s Great Gorilla Run again this year.
Excited because it’s such a great cause and they are a fun bunch of people to work with. Daunted because some of us had to dress up in hot, furry gorilla suits and run through London’s streets to raise some much needed funds.
The Gorilla Organization, originally set up by Dian Fossey is there for one reason; to raise money to help protect and preserve gorillas in the wild. They favour a community-based approach which promotes sustainable livelihoods, nurtures young conservationists of the future and empowers local people to tackle the main threats to the gorillas’ survival.
Key fundraising activity
One of their key fund-raising activities each year is The Great Gorilla Run, now in its year seventh year. The idea is to get up to 1000 keen-as-mustard, fit (and slightly strange) people to dress in gorilla costumes and then run 7km through London, raising thousands of pounds as they go.
If you need more motivation, the top fund raiser gets an amazing prize - the chance to see gorilla's in the wild! Read about last year's prize winner.
Team Explore
Explore entered a team of six staff once again including a tour leader and our MD Ashley and also 3 customers joined the fray – and all ran a fine race, finishing in varying states of disarray, but smiling from ear to ear.
The team became the top team fundraiser by race day, but fundraising doesn’t officially end until November 26th, so why not make a donation and help “Team Explore” to their target and help the tiny population of wild gorillas to grow and survive (There are just 720 mountain gorillas left…in total… anywhere).
Or, if running isn’t your thing and you think it worthwhile, why not make a donation anyway and help “Team Explore” to their target to help the tiny population of wild gorillas to grow and survive (There are just 720 mountain gorillas left…in total… anywhere).
Go to our secure donation page and make sure you select the Gift Aid option so that Gordon Brown throws in a few quid too.
If you prefer to get something in return for your money, we currently have a limited supply of exclusive designer t-shirts available for just a £10 donation - find out more here.
the cause
However, more than just the once a year race, we realise we need to support the Gorilla Organization’s wider aims, to conserve all of Africa’s gorillas – mountain and lowland. So we’re working with The Gorilla Organization on an ongoing basis and promoting their cause wherever we can.
The best way to understand the reasons the Gorilla Organization and Explore are doing this is to see the gorillas yourself.
You can try our 9 day Gorilla & Chimp Safari in Uganda, our Gamelands & Gorilla Safari covering Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda or the 15 day Ugandan Wildlife & Gorilla Safari. For a chance of spotting lowland gorillas you could also travel on the Africa’s Last Eden & Sao Tome tour.
In Uganda TGO has a variety of pioneering projects which enable local people and gorillas to live alongside each other, including provision of alternative incomes to the use of forest resources and education and inclusion of local people in conservation initiatives.