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Man runs to save rhinos By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 11 · Friday, February 26, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com An Oakville man is planning a long run to save rhinos around the world but first he needs the public's help. Erik Buckland is planning to enter the Virgin London Marathon this April in London, England. However to run in the marathon he needs to raise the equivalent of a minimum of $2,300 for a participating charity, in this case the Save the Rhino Foundation. "In order to get a place in the marathon you need to run for a cause," Buckland said. "That cause happened to be one that was under-subscribed. And it was a cause that, when I start doing some research, was needed." Buckland said there are fewer than 25,000 rhinos left in the world and five species of the animal are critically endangered. To raise the money he is hosting a fundraiser event in his Oakville home. The event will feature catering and alcoholic drinks and rhino games such as Pin the Horn on the Rhino. Silent auction items include things such as a pair of tickets to the Toronto Zoo, including a tour of the zoo and an entry to come face to face with rhinos with the rhino keeper; a Lake Ontario tour in a luxury yacht; handyman service in your home for three hours; artworks; Toronto Maple Leafs and Rock tickets and more. Buckland, though fit, had never participated in heavy sport Erik Buckland activity. When he turned 40 last year, he decided he would run a marathon. In January, of last year, he began running and began working out with a personal trainer and entered the New York Marathon where he finished the 42 km race in less than five hours. Now he's working out towards the London race. He will pay for flight and accommodations out of his own pocket. All the money raised at his event will go towards the charity he is running for. The fundraiser party is taking place in his home on Saturday, March 6. The event begins at 8 p.m. His home is located at 2240 Blackbird Crt. Tickets cost $25. For tickets, call 416-854-8468. For those who can't make the fundraiser but would like to donate to Buckland's cause they can donate directly at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/erikbuckland. Weekend