SAPREC (Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre in Mossel Bay) ran a festive initiative during the 2025 festive season aimed at raising funds for the centre’s ongoing seabird and penguin rehabilitation work, while also creating awareness of the challenges faced by marine and coastal birdlife.
As part of their Friends project, SAPREC developed and sold a range of handmade curios including keyrings, bracelets, leather goods, soft toys, painted items, stationery, and other small gifts. The market was held at the centre over the festive season and proved to be highly popular with visitors, with awareness spreading further through social media and encouraging increased foot traffic to the site. The initiative was made possible with support from the Friends of the Biosphere Programme, which contributed towards the curios created and sold.
The Christmas Market exceeded expectations in both engagement and fundraising. Many visitors purchased items as gifts, contributing to a lively festive atmosphere at the centre. In addition to sales, numerous visitors also made voluntary donations after their purchases, further increasing the total funds raised. The project generated a total income of R11,362, providing meaningful support for SAPREC’s rehabilitation and education work.
We are proud to have supported SAPREC with their awareness project. The success of the 2025 Christmas Market has demonstrated the value of combining community engagement, creative fundraising, and environmental awareness, and has strengthened ongoing support for seabird and penguin conservation in the region.
Organiser: Seabird and Penguine Rehabilitation Centre
Project Category: Environmental Awareness
Project Period:December 2025 – January 2026
Municipality: Mossel Bay
Small Grant Awarded: R5 000
