http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/giving-my-right-arm-for-turkeys-biodiversity Just another bbPress community en-US Sun, 26 May 2013 03:57:04 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/search.php http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/giving-my-right-arm-for-turkeys-biodiversity#post-273417 Sun, 10 Jul 2011 19:51:55 +0000 givingmyrightarm 273417@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ <p>Hi,</p> <p>I recently was lucky enough to visit Southern &amp; Central Turkey on a wildlife trip with friends.<br /> The culture, scenery and amazing biodiversity had a real positive impact on me! However on my return after speaking to Charlie Moores (<a href="http://www.talking-naturally.co.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.talking-naturally.co.uk</a>) I was shocked to learn that the Turkish government had sold off all the water ways to private companies. There is currently in excess of 2000 dams currently being built and a further 1700+ Hydro schemes planned. This will have a disastrous effect on the countries biodiversity and the displacement of communities will also impact on the ‘micro-cultures’ that make Turkey such an amazing country.</p> <p>I have taken it upon myself to try and raise as much funds for Doğa Derneği (Birdlife’s partner in Turkey) as I can, hoping that this will go someway to help them in their work to protect the countries biodiversity. The way in which I am hoping to raise funds is as follows:</p> <p> Invite some artists to contribute some artwork depicting some of the iconic birds of Turkey (this original art work will also be autioned off to raise additional funds).<br /> Have a montage of this artwork (totalling a minimum of ten species) tattooed onto my right arm and shoulder. This will be a full sleeve of work!<br /> If I raise over £10,000 I will add £1000 of my own money to the pot and have my left arm and shoulder tattooed with a montage of a further ten species.<br /> All tattoo work will be paid for by me (any discounts given will be forwarded onto the charity)!</p> <p>I know this sounds a bit mad, but I was planning on having this type of body art anyway. However I feel passionate about this cause, so it seems a great opportunity to use this to raise funds. I am hoping that because of the unusual nature of this initiative it will attract some media attention which will hopefully and support for Doğa Derneği and their work.</p> <p>There is more information here:<br /> <a href="http://www.binocularface.co.uk/2011/07/10/the-ten-species-to-feature-in-the-art-work-are/" rel="nofollow">http://www.binocularface.co.uk/2011/07/10/the-ten-.....-work-are/</a><br /> You can donate here: <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/givingmyrightarm" rel="nofollow">http://www.justgiving.com/givingmyrightarm</a><br /> Alternatively you can donate via text message! Text the code VWFE83 followed by the amount (£1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10) to 70070 (all letters in the text must be in higher case)</p> <p>Please pass on this to all your contacts; I really waqnt to raise as much awareness and funds as possible for this cause!</p> <p>Regards<br /> Tristan Reid </p>