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Thursday 12 February 2009
HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, Sir David Attenborough and broadcaster Andrew Marr are among those attending a fundraising dinner at Christ's College tonight to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth.
They will be joined by some 60 guests, all of whom are donating £4,750 towards establishing a lasting research link between Christ's College and the Galapagos Islands.
A fund held by the college will go towards promoting the scientific understanding, conservation and long-term welfare of the islands.
The event, which is a joint collaboration between Christ's College and the Galapagos Conservation Trust, will begin with a discussion chaired by Andrew Marr and involving Sir David Attenborough and Felipe Cruz, Director of Technical Assistance of the Charles Darwin Foundation. This will provide both a scientific and historical background to Darwin and the Galapagos, as well as current challenges facing the archipelago.
The discussion will be followed by a dinner hosted by the Master of Christ's College, Frank Kelly. Darwin's great-great grandchildren, Randal Keynes and Sarah Darwin, will also be present.
The Galapagos Islands played a crucial role in helping Darwin develop his groundbreaking theories on the origin of species.
It was while visiting the Galapagos on board the HMS Beagle in 1835 that he noticed differences between mockingbirds on individual islands - an observation that led to him concluding that species evolved by means of natural selection.
Today, scientists and conservationists are working hard to maintain the islands' fragile and unique ecosystems, and the collaboration between Christ's College and the GCT will help to contribute to this vital process.
Professor Frank Kelly, Master of Christ's College, said: 'I am delighted that Christ's is working with the Galapagos Conservation Trust to set up a much-needed lasting research link between the college and the Galapagos Islands, to continue the work of the young Darwin.'
Toni Darton, Galapagos Conservation Trust chief executive, said: 'I'm sure our president, Andrew Marr, will join me in expressing our sincere gratitude for the generosity of the guests at our joint fundraising dinner with Christ's College, Cambridge.
'We are the only charity in the UK dedicated to raising money and awareness for the Galapagos Islands, and are very excited at this new research collaboration and the benefits this fund will bring.'
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