Paula Abdul and Quinton Aaron.Photo: Sean Zanni/Getty
Prince William’s beloved wildlife charity has some star supporters.
Singer and dancerPaula AbdulandThe Blind SideactorQuinton Aarongot together on Friday for a soirée raising money and awareness for the Duke of Cambridge’s treasuredTusk Trustcharity.
The Karibu Africa party — held at the Bridgehampton home of Amy and Gary Green — also aided theAfrican Community Conservation Fund. The ACCF and Tusk are united in helping community outreach programs, wildlife protection and anti-poaching efforts, as well as combating rising food poverty in East and Southern Africa, particularly Tanzania, Rwanda, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
The event grossed over $500,000 for the charities.
World Food Program supporter Paula Abdul said, “My 60th birthday year is all about creating impact, and I’m thrilled to support these incredible organizations and their mission. The African Community & Conservation Foundation and Tusk are doing incredible work in Africa preserving wildlife and helping to create sustainability of the enormous landscape.”
Pete Mattson, Gary Green, Amy Green, Paula Abdul and Charles Mayhew.Sean Zanni/Getty
“I’ve been lucky enough to witness this first hand, and I am so proud to have been an ambassador for the charity for many years,” Jenkins adds. “Andrew and I were thrilled to attend the event last night and be able to support this collaboration between Tusk and ACCF.”
Charles Mayhew, the founder and CEO of Tusk, tells PEOPLE that the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic in Africa makes their work even more vital.
Karibu Africa Soirée.Sean Zanni/Getty
The event comes as Prince William gears up to arrive in the U.S. in December for his broader environment initiative, theEarthshot Prize, which rewards innovative ideas to help solve the planet’s problems. William and his wife, Kate Middleton, areexpected for the awards ceremonyin Boston this December.
Prince Williamhas been a patron of Tusk Trust since the beginning of his public life, soon after he left university in 2005. Last month, he added his voice to thosemourning the death of a park ranger, Anton Mzimba,who was killed in South Africa. The following week, William, 40, praised the “dangerous” work the rangers carry out as they safeguard the rhinos and elephants which are hunted for their ivory.
Quinton Aaron.Sean Zanni/Getty
“More than 1,000 rangers have been killed in the last ten years, and they need our support more than ever,“William said. “Rangers like Anton are on the frontline of conservation, protecting people as well as wildlife. Among many roles, they are teachers, carers and researchers, looking out for a natural world that can’t defend itself.”
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Prince William.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Later this year, the charity will hold its annualTusk Conservation Awards.Prince Williamusually attends, often alongside Kate, as the guest of honor.
source: people.com
