My story

Matt Rousu and Chantelle Ridley have created this fundraising page to rescue an abused and endangered Asian elephant for the Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand.

Current News: Well it's about 2 months until Matt sets off on a bicycle ride from Melbourne to Cairns, some 4000km (1km for every elephant in Thailand). He plans to set off in late July and plans to take 3-4 months to cycle the distance, visiting the elephants of Australia and raising awareness (and funds) to Ride Bikes, Not Elephants. You can follow Matt's progress here: 

http://ridebikesnotelephants.blogspot.com.au/

There are approximately 4000 elephants in Thailand and about half of these are domesticated. Domestic elephants are used for illegal logging, street begging, circus performances and trekking, all of these activities require brutal torture training. During this training an elephant is chained up in a pen that is too small for the animal to move. The elephant is then constantly tortured with beatings, often with sharp objects and left without food and water for days or even weeks. The training is designed to break the wild animal's spirit to create an obedient and tourist friendly elephant.

We volunteered at The Elephant Nature Park in Nov/Dec 2010 and were deeply moved by the work they are doing to help Asian elephants live happy lives, free from torture and abuse.

We hope to raise awareness in Australia about this issue and ultimately raise enough funds to rescue one of these majestic elephants to bring to the haven of The Elephant Nature Park.

In March 2011 Matt held his first solo photographic exhibition at The Wilderness Society Shop in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. It was a huge success in raising awareness and raising funds for the Asian elephants. The exhibition was held over 2 months and sold 18 of 23 framed photographs. I can't thank everyone who volunteered or purchased a photograph enough for their interest in this issue that not many Australians know about. 

We are in the process of organising our next fundraising event for this cause. Watch this space for frequent updates.

In the meantime, if you have some spare change, please donate and help me help these beautiful creatures.

You can find more information about the Elephant Nature Park here: http://www.elephantnaturefoundation.org/

 

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So please dig deep and donate now.

My gallery 7

My Teams

My company

My charity

Elephant Nature Foundation

Elephant Nature Foundation

Charity Registration No. 1117758

Elephant Nature Foundation is a non-profit organization which advocates and acts on behalf of the rights of Asian elephants in Thailand. Our mission is to increase awareness about the plight of the endangered Asian elephant, educate locals on the humane treatment of their elephants, and provide sanctuary for rescued elephants at our nature park.

Donations 40

Yes, my photos make an awesome gift!!! hehehe

Donation by Matt Rousu + Uli Rousu on 05/05/12

£125.00

Lin Hall purchased the 2nd last print of Cheeky Chang Yim. Thanks

Donation by Matt Rousu + Lin Hall on 18/04/12

£25.00

Another donation from Lee and Bree Rousu who purchased a Photo for a local auction!!

Donation by Matt Rousu on 22/02/12

£50.00

Donation by Annie Michèle BRION on 30/01/12

£35.00

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Great work!

Donation by Rachel Anderson on 19/01/12

£15.00

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Matt, great effort, keep up the fantastic work, would like to purchase a framed pic at some point, cheers and best of luck, Davey

Donation by David Lamont on 09/01/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Sales of Limited Edition Photographs, Thanks Libby and Kimberly!!!

Donation by Matt Rousu on 01/01/12

£75.00

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Thanks Dad!

Donation by Chantelle Ridley on 25/12/11

£65.00

Sales of Limited Edition Photographs!

Donation by Matt Rousu on 20/12/11

£75.00

I'm glad i could be a part of such an amazing cause.Your beautiful ele's will keep us all company in Antarctica this summer. Thanks again

Donation by Patrick O'neill on 06/12/11

£55.00

Thanks to Mt Beauty Peeps for the piggy bank donations, Kylie, Jackie, Ben, Steph and Sophie!!

Donation by Chantelle Ridley on 05/12/11

£146.00

A combination of photograph sales and donations. Thanks to Cathi, Marg, Hannah Beeton, Hannah, Suzanne and Nicole! Yay!!!

Donation by Cathi, Marg, Hannah, Hannah, Sue and Nic on 28/11/11

£450.00

The money raised from the Elephant Fundraising Dinner!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Amazing night.

Donation by Chantelle Ridley on 21/11/11

£1,075.00

What lucky elephants to have you to cheering for them! Enjoy the thai banquet in Beauty

Donation by Jess Addinsall on 16/11/11

£50.00

Donation for the "Old Girls" photo. Thanks for everything!

Donation by Patricia Sullivan on 15/11/11

£45.00

Thank You Elissa Cooke for purchasing a framed edition of Cheeky Chang Yim. Much Love.

Donation by Elissa Cooke + Matt Rousu on 15/11/11

£48.00

Once again Toni has chipped in to buy a limited edition print as a gift for Chantelle. Thanks!!!

Donation by Matt Rousu + Toni Woods on 06/11/11

£38.00

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Nate and Sarah Jane for the purchase of 3 Limited edition photographs. Much love!!!

Donation by Matt Rousu, Nathan & Sarah Jane on 29/10/11

£120.00

Big thank you to Toni Woods who purchased 2 Limited edition photographs.

Donation by Matt Rousu + Toni Woods on 24/10/11

£78.20

Proceeds from the sales of Limited Edition Photographs. Big Thank you to Lindsay, Ryan & Steph, Cathi and Kim.

Donation by Matt, Lindsay, Ryan, Steph, Cathi & Kim on 21/10/11

£155.40

Sale of first limited edition photograph of Lilly! Thanks Uli for purchasing a great gift for Travis, Bec and Tulli

Donation by Matt Rousu on 19/10/11

£49.00

Thank you so much Bibi for hosting a cupcakes for eles day!!!

Donation by Chantelle Ridley on 30/09/11

£38.00

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It took me 141 minutes and 59 seconds to complete the 2011 Kangaroo Hoppet 30km ski race. It was my 4th Hoppet and the hardest so far...

Donation by Matt Rousu on 28/08/11

£141.59

Donation by Anonymous on 18/08/11

£20.00

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Lovely work guys, good on you! xox

Donation by Meg Hauritz on 12/08/11

£32.00

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£7,599.33
  • Offline donations£0.00
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£7,599.33
  • Gift Aid£5.00

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