Huge respect and thanks to those in the Animals Asia team who gave up both their New Year break and weekend to oversee our stall at the Chinese New Year Wishing Tree festivities in Lam Tsuen, Hong Kong.

The Wishing Tree is frequented by tourists and locals who write their wishes for the new year on a lucky card with a symbolic mandarin orange attached, and then throw it high into the tree. Apparently, the higher it is thrown and lodges in the tree, the more likely it is that the wish will come true. While the tree looks authentic, it is actually fake, in an attempt to protect the real trees from damage.

People come from far and wide to make this special wish and the tree was heaving with the weight of the plastic oranges - which were collected and recycled if they fell to the ground.

With endless thanks to Eva, Karina and smiling volunteers Rick and Janice - and an extra special thank you to Susan our generous and long standing supporter who, together with her influential husband Luke, had managed to secure our stall in a wonderful position very near to the tree, and right next to the stage.

The event was absolutely buzzing with happy locals and tourists - and Eva successfully threw our Animals Asia card and wishes high into the Wishing Tree to bring us good fortune in the Chinese Year of the Monkey ahead!