Red List Live.

 

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Please be aware that RED LIST LIVE has been postponed this year but smaller events are being organised by the charity.

 

Every summer there are a huge number of festivals to choose from, spanning various different genres and areas of the country. This year the Aspinall Foundation has given you another to add to the list.

Eddie Hill is organising Red List Live in Kent. Taking place next to the Port Lympne Animal Park it is guaranteed to be a very unique experience. The event is hoping to raise money and awareness for the Foundation's work. Eddie explains, “Red List Live has been set up to raise money for Rare and Endangered Species, it's a new type of festival, multi-art and it's going to appeal to across all demographics. Part of the ticket will mean people can get into the wildlife park and see some of the endangered species.”

The Aspinall Foundation began in 1957 helping to save and re-introduce endangered animals. Eddie, who has worked for the foundation for five years, explains “[we] run two Gorilla reserves in Africa, one in Goane and one in the Congo, where they protect the Gorillas. They breed gorillas here in the parks in Kent and then re-introduce them out in Africa. To take a gorilla from the UK and to re-introduce it costs about £100, 000.  It's a very expensive exercise so we're hoping to raise some money to support the ongoing work.”

 

 

Eddie and the foundation hope that they can continue this work with the support of the festival go-ers. However, they are also trying to get a message across to the public about the importance of their work. “We definitely want to draw attention to some of the animals most at risk” states Eddie.  “I think mostly people feel that endangered species come from a long way a way and they don't relate to directly. I think people will be surprised to learn how they can help and if they can buy a festival ticket come along and enjoy lots of music and camping and things for a great cause then that will help people feel like they are doing their bit by contributing in some way.”

£5 of every ticket you purchase will be donated and 50% of profits go straight to the Aspinall Foundation. Tickets currently cost £99 and so far The Wombats, British Sea Power and White Rose Movement among others have been announced to perform.

So, if you're still debating your summer festival let Eddie have a final say to try and persuade you, “Red List Live is about something much bigger than music, we want to put on an amazing weekend of fun for a festival go-er and they can come and enjoy our weekend whilst having a slightly different angle, seeing some endangered animals and having a good time as well.”

Click here for more information.

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