Mark Shand on the Royal Enfield that Money Couldn't Buy

Bullet that Money Can't Buy helps Elephant Family

A Royal Enfield Bullet Classic was among the exclusive gifts in the 'Money Can't Buy Auction' to raise funds for elephant conservation at a star-studded event held on 27th June.  A family of spectacular life-size topiary elephants welcomed Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to the fundraising event arranged by London-based charity, elephant family. elephant family is a new charity, set up three years ago by writer, broadcaster and elephant conservationist Mark Shand.

In 100 years, the number of wild Asian elephants has plummeted from 225,000 to just 35,000 with 66% of the losses occurring in the last 25 years. All funds from this unique event – an anticipated quarter of a million pounds - will go towards securing a safer future for these beautiful and intelligent animals – giant and gentle custodians of the last remaining Asian forests.

Guests for this sold-out event included Kate Moss, Stephen Fry, Jools Holland, Richard E Grant and Annie Lennox as well an exotic sprinkling of Indian nobility.

Durbar & Dung

A durbar is a state reception formerly given by an Indian prince for a British Sovereign. On this occasion the durbar took place in the magical surroundings of Petersham House near Richmond. Although the event had all the elegance of a princely court, elephant family took the novel decision to print all event materials on elephant dung paper.

Set amongst summer meadows and walled gardens, the quintessentially English surroundings of Petersham House exploded into a riot of Indian colour, sound and fragrance. From the minute guests enter the grounds, they will be treated to performances by world famous Indian musicians and dancers including Anoushka Shanker; an exotic vegetarian banquet by award winning chefs and a money-can’t-buy auction hosted by Sotheby’s Chairman, Henry Wyndham.

Money can’t buy auction

The auction offered an array of original lots ranging from a once-only private commission family portrait shot by the master himself, Bruce Weber to a rare oil painting of the elephant god Ganesh by one of India’s most celebrated senior artists, M F Husain. Royal Enfield donated a unique Bullet Classic motorcycle, created for the occasion by UK distributor Watsonian Squire, but perhaps the most fitting prize was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rescue and own your very own Asian elephant and baby, to be cared for at a beautiful sanctuary for the rest of their life.

Elephant family is the only conservation charity dedicated solely to saving the endangered Asian elephant. The charity’s patrons are Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, the Rajmata of Jaipur, Goldie Hawn and Sir George Martin CBE.  Click HERE to visit their web site.