Rugby world comes together to save Africa's elephants

Athletes gathered this week at the Giants Dinner to raise awareness of the elephant poaching crisis 

Jane Cabutti
Thursday 05 May 2016 16:13 BST
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From left to right: Rory Clegg (Glasgow Warriors), Jacques Burger (Saracens), Ian Ascough (ADH Global), Nils Mordt (Saracens), Mike Ellery (Saracens).jpg
From left to right: Rory Clegg (Glasgow Warriors), Jacques Burger (Saracens), Ian Ascough (ADH Global), Nils Mordt (Saracens), Mike Ellery (Saracens).jpg (Jamie Lucas Photography)

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Around 200 diners gathered on Wednesday night for the Giants Dinner, a fundraising event in aid of Africa's elephants organised by Space for Giants and Saracens Rugby Club.

Hosted by Will Greenwood and attended by rugby legends Phil Vickery, Jacques Burger and Nils Mordt among others, it was the latest event in a long-standing relationship between Space for Giants and the rugby world. “Rugby for Giants” is a joint venture between Saracens and Space for Giants which mobilises the rugby community to protect elephants from poaching.

The event, generously sponsored by Prospect 33, concluded with some serious messages about the elephant poaching crisis from Dr Max Graham, CEO of Space for Giants. The event also featured an auction, with the top prize a conservation safari in Kenya generously donated by Elewana Sky Safari, Loisaba Conservancy and Cheli & Peacock Safaris.

Other Rugby for Giants initiatives this summer include a Round the Island Race with the Saracens Sport Foundation, and Jacques' Climb for Giants, in which Namibian rugby ace Jacques Burger will lead a four day mountain climb.

Next week, the Giants Club, founded by Space for Giants, is holding its inaugural summit in Kenya, hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta. It will be the largest gathering of African political leaders who, along with financiers, philanthropists, celebrities and conservationists, will address the poaching crisis and lay out unique approaches to protect elephants and the landscapes on which they depend.

Space for Giants would like to thank the following people and companies for their help in making the event a success:

BI Fine Wine & Spirits Merchant

BT Sport

Charlie Ross

Cheli & Peacock Safaris

Decorum Vintners

Elephant Gin

Elewana

ESI Media

Hidden Places Travel

Ian Ritchie

Jamie Lucas

Legend Holidays and Events

Loisaba Conservancy

Matt Hampson Foundation

Ognisko Restaurant

Saracens

Sara Waymont

Will Greenwood

To find out more about The Giants Club Summit go to: http://spaceforgiants.org/giantsclub/summit. To donate go to: http://spaceforgiants.org/giantsclub/donate/​

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