In 2023, the Betws Railway Platform raised an incredible £59,069.91 for Ape Action and Orangutan Appeal UK. To find out more, check out our Blog Post.
A huge thank you to all of our customers, family and friends! We hope our annual donation for 2024 will be just as great, if not better!
Ape Action supports ape conservation in Cameroon, addressing the threats faced by chimps and gorillas in Africa and working with communities to develop long-term solutions to ensure their survival in the wild.
Jacha is an ambassador for Ape Action Africa, with all donations from the Betws Railway Platform being split between Ape Action and Orangutan Appeal UK.
Orangutan Appeal UK support the critically endangered Orangutan, protecting the remaining population in Malaysian and Indonesian Borneo. They also work on behalf of the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
Jacha is chairman and a trustee of Orangutan Appeal UK, and all donations from the Betws Railway Platform are split between Ape Action and Orangutan Appeal UK.
The Sangha Pangolin Project based at Sangha Lodge, Djomo in the Central African Republic conserves and protects native Pangolins. They care for and rehabilitate pangolins rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, reintroducing them back into the wild.
Sales from our reusable shopping bags and Pangolin Pilsner go to the Sangha Pangolin Project, available to purchase at the Hangin’ Pizzeria, Alpine Coffee Shop or Platform Galeri
I’m Not Plastic aims to find practical and sustainable solutions to reduce single use plastics, and to create a plastic free world. Jacha works closely with them, creating sculptures out of recycled plastics such as Edith the Rhino on the Betws Railway Platform.
Jacha takes inspiration from I’m not Plastic with his work, from recycled chandeliers using bottles and plastic waste to Edith the Rhino, a life-sized rhinoceros full of bottle tops collected from the community. Recycled plastic works can be found all over Betws Platform, with recycled chandeliers decorating each of the Alpine Apartments, and life-sized animals such as the manatees on the train station platform, and the orangutan statues made from collected beach waste.
The Hangin’ Pizzeria sells a range of beers and spirits to benefit a range of charities that we support – Ape Action Africa, Orangutan Appeal UK, Sangha Pangolin Project, Pangolin CRF.
‘From the Notebook’ beers are made to bring awareness to endangered species. The Ape and Pangolin Beers are made in collaboration with Jacha Potgieter, featuring his paintings on the cans. Jacha’s paintings also feature on our spirits from Llanfairpwll Distillery, which launched in October 2024.
10p of each beer, measure or bottle sold goes directly to charity, and each can helps to spread awareness about the animals and how to protect them.
Edith the Rhino is a community project, but also a tool for education about rhino conservation. Helping Rhinos cares for orphaned rhinos, supports anti-poaching patrols with the Black Mambas and helps the monitoring and growth of black and white rhino populations, which together provide a sustainable future for all species of rhino.
Remembering Wildlife is a book series that raises money and awareness for the title species. This piece was created for ‘Remembering Tigers’ and auctioned off to raise money for the book campaign. The books feature wildlife photographers, with all funds from the books going to support the featured species. As of October 2024, £1.15million has been split between 74 projects in 33 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Every year, Jacha creates a piece, or series of pieces to contribute to their auction.
Mouse Free Marion is a charity close to Jacha’s heart. After spending time on conservation projects on Marion Island, Jacha has been working with Mouse Free Marion to protect the native seabirds from invasive mice and protect its biodiversity. Jacha has sponsored 43 hectares so far, and is currently working to sponsor more. Jacha’s painting of an Albatross is to be donated to raise money for Mouse Free Marion.