Spring Talk 2020 Postponed

It is with great sadness that I write to tell you we have taken the difficult decision to postpone this year's Spring Talk until Thursday 23rd July. We have done all we can to go ahead as planned on 2nd April, but we must put the safety of you, our loyal supporters, above all else. With the increasing seriousness of the COVID-19 outbreak, this is really the only decision we can make at this time.

This is a time of great worry and disruption for us all. There are without doubt difficult times ahead for everyone and I know that all of our lives will be impacted in some way over the coming months.

But let me also make an appeal to each of you to please keep thinking of our rhino and all of our wildlife at this time. I can say with certainty that the rhino have no idea about COVID-19, but they still face the same daily threats they did before this pandemic took hold. In fact, the threat of poaching may increase as the world shifts its focus, and we know from experience that the poaching gangs will exploit such a situation. 

We must also remember that the National Parks, Reserves and Conservancies that are home to the world's rhinos rely, in some cases almost completely, on income from tourism, which of course will instantly dry up. The potential impact on our wildlife and the people in the field protecting it could, and likely will, be devastating. 

From my interactions with many of you over the years, I know you care passionately about our planet and it's wildlife and that you will continue to do what you can to help us protect it - thank you.

If you have tickets for the Spring Talk, they will remain valid for the rescheduled date and I look forward to seeing you on the 23rd July at the Royal Geographical Society. If your are not able to join us in July, I hope you will consider the cost of your ticket as a donation to enable us to continue our work, but if you would like a refund of your ticket please contact Liz Simmonds at liz@helpingrhinos.org.

If you do not have tickets to our Spring Talk, but would like to join in July, you can find more details on our speakers and book tickets here. 

Please take the best care of yourselves, your family and your friends and stay safe and healthy. Our thoughts are with you all during these troubled times and I very much look forward updating you all further on our plans to help keep rhinos safe at this difficult time.

Best regards

Simon Jones
CEO, Helping Rhinos