Benchmarx raises over RM21,000 for Orangutans!

To commemorate Earth Week, international school teachers from The International School Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), musicians and non-governmental organisation (NGO) representatives banded together over three separate events from 17 – 25 April, 2009 to raise awareness as well as over RM21,000 for the Orang Utan Appeal UK – the only registered charity authorised to raise funds for the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan.

Expatriate rock band, Benchmarx

For the first time this year, BENCHMARX– a rock band helmed by expatriate school teachers from The International School Kuala Lumpur collaborated with marketing communication company Go International Group and via its community project, Doppelganger KL Open Mic, organised the additional two-day educational outreach event at SohoKL to raise awareness about sustainable living, and to raise funds for the chosen cause this year – Orang Utan Appeal UK, the only registered charity permitted to fundraise for the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah, East Malaysia.

Singer songwriter with angelic voice, Yuna

Teachers from ISKL and Mont Kiara and their bands BENCHMARX and FIVE STATES OF MIND, six ISKL school bands and over 15 Malaysian independent musicians including popular band POP SHUVIT and singer songwriters YUNA, WANI ARDY, PETER BROWN, MARKISA and GEORGE WONG performed at three separate fundraising events;

o Orang Utan Rock – a rock concert at Little Havana in Bukit Bintang on 17 April 2009 featured rock band, BENCHMARX and popular award-winning Malaysian band, POP SHUVIT, hosted by celebrity emcee, RINA OMAR.

o Rockin’ for the Environment – a two day educational community outreach event on 18 & 19 April 2009 at SohoKL in Solaris Mon’t Kiara featured environmental talks, paper recycling workshop by Malaysian Nature Society, photography display by Forest Voices, sale and display of sustainable living products by Tiny Tapir, an eco-fair bazaar and the Doppelganger KL concert and open mic for musicians.

o Orang Utan School Rock – a two-day music and educational fun festival at The International School of Kuala Lumpur held on 24 & 25 April 2009.

Kenny Peavy, initiator of Rockin’ for the Environment and guitarist of Benchmarx said, “This year’s event has exceeded expectations! The concert with Pop Shuvit was rockin’, with highly energetic with Rina Omar as emcee as icing on the cake…. hearing Yuna’s ethereal vocals and jazzy, bluesy songs at the Doppelganger open mic stage at SoHoKL was a highlight for me. Orang Utan rock will not to be forgotten anytime soon!”

The programme, which started three years ago by Peavy – a Middle School Environmental Science teacher, raised awareness as well as funds for the Turtles in 2007 (RM7,000 for SeaTru), Tigers in 2008 (RM11,000 for MyCat) and this year, Orang Utans (RM21,000 for Orang Utan Appeal UK).

Where does the money go?

According to Hayley Bagnall, Fund Procurement Officer of the Orang Utan Appeal UK, the monies raised from the event would be spent towards the sponsorship of a junior veterinarian to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and equipment for the Appeal’s ‘Post-Release Orangutan Monitoring Project’ in Tabin, a protected rainforest reserve amongst others.

She added, “Rockin’ for the Environment has been a fantastic experience! It’s a real symbol of hope helping promote the message of change through music and the collaboration of dynamic minds, energy and talent, initiated by the Benchmarx. The event has really helped people to make better-informed choices about their lifestyle and as consumers. It’s achieved its goal in raising awareness about the plight of the orangutan & importantly empowered people to really make a difference. Orangutan Appeal UK is honoured to be this years benefactor. Thank you!”

Go International Group thanks its partners and sponsors for being a part of this successful event: SohoKL, Tiny Tapir, Schokolart, Boston Restaurant Group, MBG Fruit Shop, Polygiene, Malaysia Nature Society, Forest Voices and Gerai OA.

Go Green Message Tree

“Our Go Green Message Tree, conceptualised by a member of our staff was well accepted. All messages are on our Earth Week micro website and you can read what people say about the environment at gointernationalgroup.com. We’ll continue to fly the green flag for the rest of the year at every one of our Doppelganger Open Mic events. And if we can motivate even just one person to green their lifestyle, we would have already contributed to our own planet,” said Jasmine Low – Managing Director of Go International Group.

For further information, visit: www.gointernationalgroup.com/earthweek.html or http://envirorock.blogspot.com/