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The Tembo Collection: Auree Jewellery x TLC

A blogger breakfast with Auree Jewellery and TLC, in aid of a well-deserved cause.
The London Chatter x Auree Jewellery Launch
The London Chatter x Auree Jewellery Launch | The Tembo Collection Launch
Auree Jewellery Tembo Shina Bracelet in Rose Gold* | Auree Jewellery Tembo Pembe Bracelet in Silver*
The London Chatter x Auree Jewellery | The Tembo Collection Launch
The London Chatter x Auree Jewellery Launch
The London Chatter x Auree Jewellery Launch
The London Chatter x Auree Jewellery Launch | The Tembo Collection Launch
The London Chatter x Auree Jewellery Launch
The London Chatter x Auree Jewellery Launch | The Tembo Collection Launch
The London Chatter x Auree Jewellery Launch | The Tembo Collection Launch

At the start of the month, I was invited to the launch of The Tembo Collection, a wonderful event for an important cause. The Tembo Collection is a collaboration between Kelly Eastwood (AKA The London Chatter) and Auree Jewellery. They’ve created a collection of seven delicate solid gold and silver bracelets that were inspired by traditional Maasai bead jewellery. 100% of the profits from these bracelets goes to For Rangers, in conjunction with Tusk (a charity that was highlighted in the press by the support of both Prince William and Prince Harry). For Rangers is a charity raising money to support the rangers who risk their lives daily to protect Africa’s endangered species. Rhino poaching in Africa has been well documented, with well over 100 rhino killed each year. If this continues at the same rate it is estimated that by 2026 there will be no rhino left in the wild, some report as soon as 2020. Across Africa it’s estimated that 100 elephants a day are slaughtered by poachers, that’s one killed every 15 minutes.

Although it has been scientifically proven to have no medicinal properties rhino horn is still used in Vietnam, China and Laos as traditional medicine. And ivory still fetches a high price in the Far East, where it’s valued at $1,200 per kilo.

It is the rangers, supported by For Rangers, that put their lives in danger protecting the rhino and elephants. Globally, over a thousand rangers have been killed since 2003. These men are brave, they are up against poachers with high-caliber assault weapons, working at night with night-vision. They work in harsh conditions, often cold and uncomfortable; as well as dangerous ones, amongst elephants, lions, and buffalo.

For Rangers is aiming to raise funds and awareness to ensure that rangers across Africa are adequately equipped with top-quality basic equipment, well paid, incentivised and trained.

Kelly and Auree Jewellery invited twenty-two bloggers to Bronte, a stunning new Tom Dixon-designed restaurant on The Strand. Kelly talked about her reasons for wanting to do this collaboration and shared a very moving film about the rangers, that left me in tears. I’ve shared many of the facts above that were highlighted to me then. Kelly lives in London but is originally from Kenya, she still spends a great deal of time there, visiting her family, and has been supporting For Rangers for a while.

We enjoyed a delicious breakfast of poached eggs and avocado on toast, with tasty green juices. And, we were each given two bracelets from the collection, I have been wearing mine since. The little tusk on the catch is a reminder to me of the important cause they represent.

If you are thinking about Christmas presents and would like to buy someone something with meaning, that will actually make a difference, I think one of these beautiful bracelets would make a wonderful gift.