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Acres Press Release 30 May 07
Singapore youths help set up the Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre

More than 120 youths from 8 schools joined hands to paint Singapore’s first wildlife rescue centre – the Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC), in preparation for the upcoming opening of the centre.


Volunteers from Rendezvous Hotel Singapore also joined the youths in taking ownership of the AWRC as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility programme.

This follows on from months of fundraising efforts for the AWRC by youths all over Singapore.

“We strongly believe in promoting community involvement in tackling animal protection issues and the event today gives youths and the public a sense of ownership to act and do their part for wildlife.

We are very pleased that so many youths and corporate representatives responded to our call for volunteers and this event strengthens the community spirit with volunteers from different schools working together for a common goal” says Ms. Charlene Tan, Acres Director of Community Outreach.

“I feel great to devote my holiday time in doing such meaningful activities. I am honoured to be part of the team to provide a home for the wildlife” said Goh Wei Zhao, 16, Westwood Secondary School.
Additional invitation via email from Louis Ng dd 30 May 07

If you would like to join the youths and help us out at the Acres Rescue Wildlife Centre (AWRC) tomorrow, please meet us at the entrance of Qian Hu Fish Farm (http://www.qianhu.com)
71, Jalan Lekar, Sungei Tengah at 9am.

Sorry for the late notice.

Please bring along the following items: Paint roller Cloth (to clean the wall before painting)
Newspaper (to lay on the floor to avoid dripping paint on it)
Masking Tape (to cover the windows and switches to prevent painting on them) Insect repellent
Drinking water
Lunch

Please bring along the following for every 2 persons:
Paint tray
Paint brush
“The hotel believes in cultivating and educating the staff in being socially responsible towards the environment and animal protection. If everyone is made more aware of the consequences of the wildlife trade, we will be then be more conscious of our actions." said Mr Kellvin Ong, General Manger of Rendezvous Hotel Singapore.

”Spanning 2 hectares, the AWRC will provide sanctuary to more than 400 rescued wild animals at a time, giving them a second chance at life and enabling repatriation to their native country for certain animals where possible. The educational programmes at the AWRC will create awareness about wildlife, the illegal wildlife trade and its harm to the environment.

“This educational aspect of the AWRC moves Singapore one step closer towards ending the illegal wildlife trade in our country and creating a more compassionate society” said Ms. Amy Corrigan, Acres Director of Research and Education.

In the past 8 months, Acres has raised more than $500,000 for the AWRC. More than half of this came from individuals, with the remainder from environmentally-aware Singapore organisiations.

Acres needs to raise an additional $250,000 to complete the construction and open the AWRC by the end of June 2007.

“The support from the society in Singapore has been greatly encouraging. We are getting closer to our target and we urge the public and companies to help us complete the building of the AWRC. People can make a lasting contribution by sponsoring a brick, a tree or even an enclosure. Together we can make the AWRC a reality, brick by brick and tree by tree” said Ms. Tan.

To donate or find out more information, log on to: www.acres.org.sg

Contact: Louis Ng (Executive Director)
Email: louis@acres.org.sg

Notes to editors

· The murals at the Education Centre were designed by students from Admiralty Secondary School. · Students from Anglo Chinese Junior College, Catholic Junior College, Hwa Chong Junior College, Raffles Girls School, Raffles Institution, Raffles Junior College, Meridian Junior College, Westwood Secondary School, and volunteers from Hotel Rendezvous participated in the painting session.

· Acres is a local animal protection charity aimed at fostering respect and compassion for all animals. Over the past six years, Acres has successfully campaigned for improvements in local legislation to protect wild animals, rescued over 160 animals from the illegal wildlife trade, conducted undercover investigations into the illegal wildlife trade which resulted in bringing the offenders to task, conducted over 140 roadshow and/or talks and improved the lives of countless animals in captivity. It currently has more than 3,800 individuals on its supporter database.
links
Acres website with more on the Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre and how you can donate

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