BHP Billiton goes to the Dogs
Three BHP Billiton staff members are about to call the Shenton Park Dogs’ Refuge in Western Australia home.
The three BHP staffers won’t exactly be taking up residential status at the Refuge but they will be central to an important fundraising campaign.
The fundraising three-some – James Pregnell, Gabriel Gnavi and Jeremy Thornett – are especially well suited to spearhead the major fundraiser because any funds they raise as individuals will be matched by their employer under its Matched Giving program, up to a maximum of $50,000 each.
The Dogs’ Refuge Home in Shenton Park is now in the 76th year of operation and it is hoping to raise some $300,000 to put towards replacing an ageing kennel block, which was built in the 1930’s.
The 2011 30 for 30 Challenge will see the trio of BHP Billiton Iron Ore employees take the lead in a major fundraising challenge which will see them walk 30 of the Refuge’s dogs for 30 minutes each, and for a total distance of 30 kilometres on Saturday 25 June.
“The Dogs’ Refuge Home rescues hundreds of abandoned dogs every year and I’m happy to help what is a very worthwhile cause,” committed dog lover James, the spokesperson for the group who has participated in two previous fundraisers for the refuge, said.
“As a BHP Billiton Iron Ore employee, any money I raise is matched dollar for dollar under the company’s Matched Giving program, and so all donations from the community will literally be doubled, up to a total of $50,000.
“The same applies to my colleagues Gabriel and Jeremy too, so we are appealing to members of the local community to make this the most successful fundraising effort in the Home’s history by making a donation and helping us to raise much needed funds for the Home.
“All donations over $2 are fully tax deductible so it’s a fantastic time to support the refuge with the end of the tax year looming.”
Karen Rhodes, President of the refuge, says the Home is appealing for anyone who has ever re-homed a dog from the refuge to make a donation to the campaign.
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and I’d urge dog lovers throughout Perth and especially the many thousands of dog lovers who have rescued a dog from us in the past, to support the BHP Billiton Iron Ore fundraising team,” she says.
“If this amazing trio of dog lovers could raise $50,000 each, the money raised would go a huge way towards meeting the annual shortfall we must raise each year to survive, and we’d also be able to put some funds aside towards building a new set of kennels to rescue many more dogs and puppies from an otherwise uncertain fate.
“Unfortunately we don’t receive any government funding, so we are very reliant on the community to support our rescue work by making a donation, and we are incredibly grateful for any amount that local dog lovers are able to donate.”
The BHP Billiton Iron Ore trio will begin walking the first of the 30 refuge dogs at 9am on the day and will return to the refuge every 30 minutes for another dog. Members of the community are welcome at the refuge on the day, both to offer their support and to donate.
The Dogs’ Refuge Home is a registered charity that receives no government funding and relies totally on community support to fund its operations. The Refuge has a pro-life policy and does not euthanase any healthy, re-homable animal in its care.
To find out how you can help James, Gabriel and Jeremy in their fundraising challenge call the Dogs’ Refuge Home on (08) 9381 8166 or simply click on the following link.
http://www.dogshome.org.au/30for30/