Protecting African Lions (PAL) Launches in New York

The most extraordinary event of my life. That is a bold statement coming from a guy who has catered for the worlds elite athletes at two Olympic Games, operated the most incredible catering contracts on the planet and is now living in rural Oxfordshire.

My affiliation with PAL grows each day. The foundation was publicly launched, at Soho House New York, on the roof top last Friday night. Hundreds of guests turned up for the most wonderful event in the city.

Whilst I may have met the most incredible people, innovators, leaders, change managers and though meisters the entire focus was on the cause. Founder Conor McCreedy made a passionate speech and the crowd were enthralled at the video which followed.

I am thrilled we inducted new ambassadors on the night and unveiled our official video. The pride has come together, now we need to take it to you, the rest of the world.

Look at the launch video here to see the truth behind the cause and what you can do to help.

PAL Ambassadors at the New York Launch

 

To all those who attended, thank you.

We are busy planning our next launches in Cape Town and in the United Kingdom, at the most incredible venues you can imagine!!

Don’t forget you can order your McCreedy Blue PAL bracelet of support from the Lianne Landman Collection.

http://liannelandman.com/collection/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_90&products_id=679

Watch this space for exciting news and developments as they happen

#jointhepride

Thanks

Steve

 

 

Power of the People

Firstly I would like to thank all of you who got involved in World Lion Day on the 10th August. The power of the people was felt across the globe and for an inaugural event it took the social media world by storm and has captured the imagination, hearts and support of thousands world wide. Thank you.

Harnessing the power of the people is what this blog is all about.

The time has come to share that the global launch of PAL will be happening on 27th September 2013 in New York City!

The most incredible bunch of supporters, leaders and inspiring individuals are all busy pulling together an event of global proportions. Guest lists are being developed, contacts called and the who’s who being lined up for a dazzling night at Soho House NY.

The reason for all of this, is to cement the PAL Foundations’ commitment to protecting the African Lion from extinction. Critical issue, without a doubt. You’ll have seen from my previous posts details about the decline of the lion population, so today is all about celebrating them and the way forward to get them the protection and recognition they deserve.

So what can you do to get involved? Well you could invite 100 of your closest friends to join you in purchasing your PAL bracelet of support for the cause and #jointhepride PAL bracelets available from www.protectingafricanlions.org

This is who we are and what we stand for:

THE FACTS

• African lions are increasingly threatened and endangered with over 90% decline in the past 50 years and continuing. 
• During the hunting “season” 7 male lions are killed every 2 days. 
• Over the past 6 years around 3,900 lions have been shot as trophies and exported
  from Africa, largely through ‘canned’ hunting. 
• There are fewer than 2,500 male lions left in the wild and hunted at a rate of 650 per
  year. 
• In Zimbabwe and Tanzania, communities are worse off after joining trophy hunter
  projects- rural poverty increased 

• During research periods 104 cubs are born within the prides but fewer than 10 reached adulthood due to feline AIDS 

PAL (“PROTECTING AFRICAN LIONS”)

Our Lion-Hearted Mission:

PAL is a non- profit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and to start protecting lions from further decline.

We have established a foundation designed to protect lions and to become a key strategic partner for governmental and other affiliated charity programs.

The goal of our well-researched partnerships will be to help drive awareness of PAL. Conor Mccreedy (Founder) will front the organization through his brand and global appeal. Strategic partners presently on board include those listed on the above photo.

Our first artistic collaboration, through our founder, Conor McCreedy, has created a one-of-a-kind ‘MccreedyBluePAL’ bracelet. Hand picked, renowned South African designer Lianne Landman will head up the designs, employing and empowering local women to hand make each bracelet and enjoy a sustainable income. These unique bracelets will be sold globally through www.protectingafricanlions.org or www.liannelandman.com 

By purchasing a “MccreedyBluePAL” bracelet, you will help drive our mission. Each bracelet will be sold for $21 USD. A portion of the funding will also assist other global charity groups affiliated to the project.

Now, all i humbly request is you #jointhepride and buy a bracelet now, tell your friends about it, share this blog online, tweet about it, facebook it, like it and the power of social media shall help us secure the future of the King of the Jungle.

Thank you

Awareness breeds interest

I’m one who is totally fascinated by the power of social media and the effect it has on our lives. 20 years ago, no-one was a twit, or a face booker, they never had Pinterests, or even tumblr down a hill. However we were all in touch with the reality of our world at the time.

I fondly remember growing up in South Africa, sending airmail letters to my grandparents in the UK. If we sent photos, it would be 6 weeks until the return mail notified us of the joy they had experienced. It seems so far removed from the instantaneous life sharing we live with 24/7 today.

Yet, as I write, there is a frown on my face, wandering how a cause as vitally important to humankind, to the animal kingdom and to the balance of the ecosystems across the world does not get the draw and attention deserved.

The plight of the African Lion is real. It is very real. I grew up in a country and on a continent where the king of the jungle prevailed. Now, he is hunted, bred to be shot and those few lucky enough to remain out in the wild are under threat of extinction. The actions of foundations such as Protecting African Lions (P.A.L) are only on the cusp of what could be a phenomenal wave of awareness creation globally.

P.A.L are all about protecting African lions, sure. That’s the main objective and focus of the foundation, however there are a number of brilliant, inspiring and very special projects affiliated to P.A.L who all benefit from the following and support of the P.A.L Foundation.

*THE MARA FOUNDATION * FACES OF HOPE FOUNDATION * UBUNTU EDUCATION * PHELOPHEPA TRAIN

These Charities, Causes and Foundations all benefit equally from the sale of every Mccreedy Blue P.A.L bracelet (available from http://www.liannelandman.com) So, by showing your support for the pride, for lions worldwide, you are also changing lives. This is a critical connection between mankind and the animal kingdom.

Protect African Lions and Protect Lives at the same time! What a great connection.

Last night I attended a Business Awards dinner. 500 guests in rural Oxfordshire. The event decided to challenge the guests to get the Awards trending on Twitter. 500 people, 4789 tweets and retweets in less than an hour, and number 3 on the global trending list in that time. Thats the power of our lifestyle today.

So I have a challenge for you dear reader, for you to get on board and help us share the importance of our quest, of the Foundation and the plight of the African Lion.

I implore you to get your P.A.L bracelet of support and #jointhepride

Furthermore, I’d love you to stand by and get ready to help us trend #jointhepride and @PROTECTLIONS worldwide. We cannot do this alone and value each and every follower, tweet, retweet we can get. Please start now, but save the big burst for World Lion Day on 10th August 2013.

Lets make the 13th August the day we trend worldwide, the day we make a stance for the Lion, the day we change lives.

I look forward to you all joining the pride!

Have a great week