Tag Archives: Richard Symonds

“Cages of Shame” at the Odeon Lounge Bayswater

Our screening of “Cages of Shame” on Wednesday was a huge success and a big thank you is due to all who helped with the organisation and on the day: Hilary, Seb, Babs, Kay, John and Chloe and of course the lovely, lovely Peter Egan who very kindly volunteered to be our auctioneer and helped us raise £1620 with the auction alone.

Richard Symonds donated a limited edition print of his beautiful Oliver Bear drawing which was won by actress Lesley Nicol of Downton Abbey fame for £500 (pictured below, photo credit: Richard Symonds) as well as his wonderful “Contemplation”.

As expected the film had everyone in tears, sad and happy tears.  Supporter Sue Edwards summed it up perfectly on our Facebook page:

“Enjoyed meeting everyone again today ..Cages of Shame is fantastic. Yes of course it’s sad but you get to see from the inside how Animals Asia works. The terrible condition the bears are in when rescued. But you also see how the bears live now and the fantastic life Animals Asia has given them.  Sad tears and Happy tears shed today.”

A big thank you also to fabulous Animals Asia friend and supporter Rula Lenska who is always there to support.

The “icing on the cake” was Jill of course – loved and adored by all.  The film alone is superb and so very deserving of the award but to have Jill there to give us an update on the “New Year Rescue” bears and the situation in Vietnam and China in general made this event extra special.

We had a full house – full of very kind and generous supporters, old and new and just couldn’t have wished for a better day.  Thank you to everyone who came and helped make this day as special as it was and of course to the Odeon Lounge for making this all possible in the first place by letting us use this amazing venue free of charge.

Rula Lesley Jill Peter Oliver

Rula Lenska, Lesley Nicol, Jill Robinson and Peter Egan with “Oliver Bear”

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Make Christmas extra special for Oliver and friends

If you can’t make it to any of the Christmas events where Animals Asia is represented don’t panic, everything is available online including beautiful Christmas cards by Richard Symonds featuring Jasper, Starlight and Jingle. There are some wonderfully stylish new items which just flew off the tables at last Sunday’s Animal Aid Christmas Fayre.

You can also get gifts with meaning for the animals, ranging from pots of honey for the bears to Dr Dog and Professor Paws visits to enrichment furniture for the bears’ enclosures – a great idea for someone who has everything or would just love to know that their Christmas present is helping the animals we all care about.

Please read Jill’s letter to all of us and click on the image for some great ideas to make this Christmas extra special.

Happy shopping!

Jill's letter


Moonstruck Exhibition 2012

Don’t miss this unique exhibition of pencil drawings and sculptures of moon bears and other Asian wildlife by acclaimed artists Richard Symonds and Suzie Marsh in aid of Animals Asia at the

MENIERGALLERY

51 Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU

25-28 April 2012

Wed, Thurs 11am – 6pm

Fri 11am – 8pm including “special event”:

3-5pm Live drawing and sculpting demonstrations with both artists followed by

6pm Presentation by Dr Jill Robinson MBE, founder and CEO of Animals Asia on the campaign to end bear farming in China and Vietnam

Sat 11am – 3pm (close)

You can find more details and some samples of their amazing work on the Moonstruck Facebook page