Tusk

Geordie and I met and were ‘dating’ – which seems a wonderfully courteous and old-fashioned word – some 28 years ago. During those early months I asked him to an event in London to support a charity called Tusk. A girlfriend of mine was somehow going – Tessa Campbell Fraser – and so were various other friends so along we went.

Sophie Green

At that time Tusk was rather a young charity, perhaps two years old. It was founded by a man called Charlie Mayhew and named after the many extraordinary animals that were on the brink of extinction. It was different in that its focus was on conservation in terms of helping people live in partnership with both the wildlife and the landscape whilst seeking to make such a partnership practical and sustainable.

Fundamentally, it is about collaboration to help prevent decline in habitat and biodiversity and Tusk therefore works with local organisations in Africa to seek improve livelihoods as well as the animals. For all its initial focus on rhinos and elephants, Tusk also supports Grevy’s Zebra, a cheetah conservation charity and Blue Ventures which helps rebuild tropical fisheries just to name a few of its endeavours.

Last month, to my surprise, I gathered that my son Eddie had decided to organise an art exhibition and had found a gallery to rent in the Brompton Road, London. It was to be in aid of Tusk – apparently, he knew Charlie’s son. His flatmate Harry was on board as well so they would do it together. It is extraordinary how the world goes round and so I set finger to typewriter to help  create a fun drinks party. It would be very nice to see some of my London friends – I do feel quite often like a country ‘pumpkin’ – so, this would be an antithesis.

Eddie and Tusk had gathered together paintings and photographs by very generous artists – just unbelievably kind. One magazine commented of the photographer William Fortescue that he “is one of the finest wildlife photographers of his generation…his work has the power to change the world”(the elephant above).There were also works by Danielle Tomlinson and Quentin Blake, Sophie Green offered an extraordinary Snow Leopard and I had asked Sarah Elder if she could offer some paintings too which again was so generous.

Loading a car with paintings, Highclere Castle Gin, champagne, glasses, oranges, rosemary, folding tables, tablecloths, and food I set off on the appointed morning to London, Paul Mac driving and Catlin squidged in the back. Geordie didn’t fit so had to take the train but I suspect he found it rather more peaceful to do so. Eddie and Harry were doing a great job hanging painting but, having done a drop off, I then set off in search of everything that had been forgotten which took most of the afternoon. With a few minutes to spare all was ready and friends started arriving.

Sarah Elder

Many found some beautiful Christmas gifts: paintings and photos that live with each of us and the proceeds of which help sustain this extraordinary planet. After all – we have no other place to live and it is the intricate mosaic of biodiversity that in essence keeps us alive. As well as moderating our own use of resources, by helping charities such as Tusk we are helping others to thrive, not by telling them what to do but by standing shoulder to shoulder with them and offering our aid.

To quote the late Queen Elizabeth:

“It is often the small steps not the giant leaps that bring about the most lasting change.”