The Independent's Elephant Appeal Christmas Auction to Benefit Space for Giants

The Independent, The Independent on Sunday, i and London Evening Standard are proud to launch The Independent's Elephant Appeal Christmas campaign in association with Space for Giants, with support from Jude Law, Clare Balding, Boris Johnson and Bear Grylls. Space for Giants raises money to combat elephant poaching in Africa.

The Christmas campaign will shine a light on the ongoing conservation crisis, in addition to raising much needed funds through exclusive auctions for a variety of exclusive gifts and experiences - from VIP tickets to Henry V, with a backstage Champagne reception with Jude Law at the Noel Coward Theatre, to Boris Johnson's signed cycling helmet, or a survival weekend at the Bear Grylls Survival Academy. Other auction items include, lunch at Westminster with a guided tour and all the gossip from Political Editor Andrew Grice, an eight-day luxury safari in Kenya, a VIP night at Ronnie Scott's with the legendary venue's Artistic Director James Pearson where you will choose the tunes performed, and a private stand-up comedy routine in your living room (or local pub) by acclaimed comic Mark Steel. For a full list of lots available, see below.

Led by the proprietor of The Independent and London Evening Standard, Evgeny Lebedev, along with Space for Giants CEO Dr. Max Graham, a team will visit the 10,000 km² Laikipia Plateau in north-central Kenya. The Independent will be reporting regularly from the ground in Kenya - visiting conservation areas, reporting on the illegal poaching economy and highlighting the education and training programme in place to train rangers to defend against poachers.

Last year, thousands of Africa's elephants were killed to supply illegal ivory to markets throughout the world. Increasingly, revenue generated from this blood ivory is being using to fuel war and terrorism in Africa. The Independent's Elephant Appeal is designed to raise money to support rangers on the ground to protect Kenya's elephants from armed poachers, together with Space for Giants' longer-term work to create new wildlife sanctuaries where elephants will be safe, forever.

Amol Rajan, Editor of The Independent, said: "The Independent has always supported conservation and end environmental issues. The Independent Elephant Appeal has a vital contribution to make to Space for Giants and its incredible work in protecting these wonderful creatures."

Dr. Max Graham, CEO of Space for Giants, said: "We are so proud to be a part of The Independent Elephant Appeal and thank them for shining their hugely valuable support. There is grave concern for the survival of these incredible animals and the money and attention we raise through this campaign will make a real difference on the ground in Kenya."

Key facts about the current poaching crisis:

- It is difficult to determine exactly how many elephants there are as they are hard to count in forests. Currently there are an estimated 400,000 in Africa.
- Up to 12% of Africa's elephants were killed in 2011. Central Africa is believed to have lost up to 20% of its elephants in that year alone. Rates of loss in 2012 and 2013 are believed to have been even higher.
- Elephants are being killed for ivory across the continent in the 37 elephant range states, from Mali and South Africa, to Ethiopia and Zambia, the rate that elephants are being killed is more than 100 a day.
- For example Gabon's 60,000 forest elephants are being wiped out at the rate of a few thousand a year.
- In Central African Republic there were 50,000 forest elephants in the 1970s, now there are 3,000.
- Chad once home to 15,000 elephants in 1979 now has less than 400 elephants.
- Sierra Leone lost its last elephant in 2011.

About Space for Giants: Space for Giants is an international conservation charity whose mission is to secure a future for the largest mammals on earth forever, to be enjoyed by humanity forever, by ensuring that they have the space and security to live and move freely in the wild forever. CEO Dr. Max Graham, a fluent Kiswahili speaker who has worked on environment and development projects in Afghanistan, Ecuador, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Gabon, has been involved in elephant research and conservation since 2000 and in 2006 was awarded a PhD from the University of Cambridge. He has published numerous scientific papers on elephant behaviour, human-elephant conflict and wildlife conservation and in 2012 became a member of the IUCN African Elephant Specialist Group. Dr. Max is a visiting academic of the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge and the chairman of the Laikipia Wildlife Forum's Conservation Committee. He has been based in north Kenya for more than a decade. More information on Space for Giants can be found at www.spaceforgiants.org.

About The Independent and i: The Independent was launched in 1986 and is one of the only national newspapers free from proprietorial influence. Its reputation for unbiased and serious reporting has won it international acclaim. In the UK it has a current headline circulation figure of 69,388 and, together with sister paper i, it now commands a bigger circulation than The Guardian, reaching 370,973 readers (including digital) a day in September 2013.

Full list of lots in The Independent Elephant Appeal auction:

Lot 1: Steel Lives

Comedian, columnist, historian and wit Mark Steel will perform a stand-up comedy routine in your home or local pub. (Dates depend on availability - and permission of landlord!)

Lot 2: Spice Inviter

Feisty Independent columnist, lively debater and enthusiastic amateur chef Yasmin Alibhai-Brown will host an "Indian picnic" for up to four people in London's Regent's Park, preferably in the warmer months of 2014. Enjoy tales of love, migration and food from one of the nation's finest and most provocative writers.

Lot 3: We Happy Few

A letter entitling the bearer to two tickets to see Henry V at the Noel Coward Theatre at a performance of their choice, Monday to Thursday night, up to 15 February 2014, subject to availability - followed by a glass of champagne backstage with Jude Law.

Lot 4: Cripes!

The Mayor of London (and potential future prime minister) Boris Johnson's Stash bike helmet, which, like the wearer, has been through plenty of scrapes. Signed by the Mayor himself with "Best wishes", it's the ideal gift for the cyclist in your life, Tory or not.

Lot 5: Lunch on the House

It's the ultimate political guide. Which Coalition partners hate each other? Are we being told the truth about the national debt? And what is it with Theresa May and shoes? Our political editor, Andrew Grice, will take a reader to Westminster for lunch and fill them in on our rulers

Lot 6: Loose Women

Two VIP audience tickets to visit the Loose Women studios at ITV, London (accommodation, transportation etc. not included; within six months of the auction date or on mutually agreed date), plus a chance to meet the presenters, including The Independent on Sunday columnist Janet Street-Porter.

Lot 7: Holiday with Giants

Eight-day luxury holiday safari in Kenya for two, including opportunities to see the big five, visiting the Space for Giants team to see the critical conservation work they do, and meeting some of their favourite elephants, plus a couple of days of luxury relaxation on the Indian Ocean. Two nights each at Sirikoi, Sosian and Ol Malo and three at Kizingoni. Check out the views via www.sirikoi.com, www.sosian.com, www.olmalo.com and www.kizingonibeach.com. A very special break. (Subject to availability; flights and insurance not included.)

Lot 8: Foreign Field

Our Paris correspondent, John Lichfield, will take you on a day tour of the Somme battlefields where 623,000 British and French soldiers were killed or wounded in the First World War. Lunch is included, but not travel. For up to four people.

Lot 9: On the Ball

Two can visit the coming force in football - BT Sport's The Clare Balding Show, plus a behind-the-scenes tour of the BT Sport studio in Stratford, east London, from where the programme is broadcast. (Date to be agreed between the winner and BT; travel not included.)

Lot 10: A day at the paper

Visit The Independent at our offices in Kensington, west London. Marvel at the hum of industry, the thrill of breaking news, the whoosh of deadlines. Come to the morning conference, chat to the columnists, sub-editors and leader writers. And see the first edition before it goes to press. For up to two people.

Lot 11: Lunch with the editor

One reader will lunch with The Independent's editor, Amol Rajan, at The Ivy, the legendary power brokers' restaurant in London's West End. Over risotto or calf's liver, discuss anything from politics to cricket to the future of journalism. (Travel not included.)

Lot 12: Shadowing Sindy

One reader will get the chance to shadow the editor of The Independent on Sunday, Lisa Markwell, as she puts together her award-winning newspaper. Join her at editorial conferences, talking to writers and the e-production team, and, possibly, lunching with the great and the good. (Travel not included.)

Lots 13 and 14: Images of Giants

Two prints from David Gulden - who has produced arguably the best African wildlife photography ever. The print (featured on page 16) is one of two powerful images being used in The Independent's appeal. The second features two bull elephants. The prints are 36in tall and 54in wide with 3in borders and high-end white frames. Both are from numbered editions of 10 of each and signed by the photographer. They are taken from his highly acclaimed book, The Centre Cannot Hold.

Lot 15: Help with Giants

Space for Giants is offering one intern the rare chance to get involved in its operations on the ground in northern Kenya, both in the office in Nanyuki, and in the field. You will have the chance to get acquainted with its study bulls and the other elephants of Laikipia; and assist in taking an anti-poaching drama performance to local communities. (Visas and personal travel insurance required.)

Lot 16: NAME THAT TUNE

A VIP night for two at Ronnie Scott's. Come for a champagne reception before a show of your choice at the world-famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club with artistic director James Pearson. You will select the songs to be performed by Ronnie Scott's All Stars to open the evening, watch from the best seats, and enjoy a sumptuous three-course dinner and the musical delights of whichever jazz star is performing that evening. (Travel not included.)

Lot 17: Showbiz party

Ever wondered what it might be like to hobnob with society types and celebs from the A-list to the Z-list? Join our gossip columnist, Luke Blackall, as he searches for the best stories and the juiciest gossip...

Lot 18: Your move

Game of chess and a master class with Indy chess expert and English Grandmaster Jon Speelman. The Independent's "Mr Chess" challenges chess fans to an epic duel. He beat Kasparov; can he beat you? (Travel not included.)

Lot 19: Match Day with the Saracens

One of England's great rugby teams is proud to support Space for Giants' work in Africa. The Saracens (www.saracens.com) are offering a special match-day experience, comprising three tickets, match-day mascot, replica shirt, and photograph with the captain and the mascot.

Lot 20: Literary greats

Signed copies of celebrated screenwriter and author David Nicholls' acclaimed novels (Starter for Ten, The Understudy and a lovely boxed hardback of One Day) - plus a bound set of signed screenplays (One Day, Starter for Ten and Great Expectations).

Lot 21: A mountain to climb

Our award-winning travel correspondent, Simon Calder, has only one frontier to conquer - the heights of Britain. Here is your opportunity to learn everything about travel and travel journalism - and help him overcome a fear of heights.

Lot 22: Gig to go for

Attend a live rock or pop gig, courtesy of The Independent. Enjoy the performance and then help our critic to write a review for publication in the newspaper. (Dates and performance subject to availability.) For two.