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OFM helps smoking chimp

Publish: 15 April 2009

OFM presenter Rian van Heerden has joined the “Bloemfontein friends of the Zoo” by raising funds for a chimpanzee with a smoking habit.

Charlie, who is almost 50 years old, was imported from Texas and according to the Friends of the Zoo, Charlie's smoking habits had already started in Texas. This imported, smoking chimp made headlines in the region. But, instead of creating the awareness the Friends of the Zoo were looking for, they found themselves in a dilemma where visitors to the Zoo would throw cigarettes to Charlie so he could smoke it. The Zoo, being in a financial predicament, relies on corporate sponsorships and financial aid and doesn't have the resources to train and keep Charlie safe from abuse.

Van Heerden decided to help by asking his listeners to contribute by sending an SMS to the OFM short code number. A total of 3,946 text messages were received and cash donations were made. Shoprite Checkers offered to purchase hammocks for Charlie's enclosure. The show raised R3,723 and OFM decided to match the amount so that a total of R7,446 would be donated to the Friends of the Zoo. Another R4,000 was donated by the public, bringing the total so far to R11,446.

For more information on the Charlie's Angel campaign visit http://www.ofm.co.za/



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 responses to this article

wow
i am the first to respond

by person on May 06 2009, 03:01
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gosh
why do we have to study health in school?!?!?

by emma on May 06 2009, 03:01
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