HELLO! July 1995

SEAN CONNERY AND WIFE MICHELINE

LENDING A HELPING HAND TO ABANDONED ANIMALS AT THEIR MARBELLA RETREAT

In seeking a new pet for his plush Marbella home, screen idol Sean Connery discovered there was no shortage of abandoned mutts on the strip of the Costa del Sol he has made his home.  In fact, he was given dozens to choose from.

            Learning of the ex-Bond’s wishes for a furry friend, Triple A, Marbella’s Animal Shelter organization, immediately chauffeured a motley mix of puppies and fully-grown dogs to the screen idol’s residence where he lives with wife Micheline.

            “But none of them were quite what Sean was looking for,” says Maureen White, the English vice president of the association, which collects abandoned pets and finds new homes for them among Marbella’s residents free of charge.

            “Instead,” adds Maureen, “Sean gave us a handsome donation which will be invested in food for the hundred or so dogs and cats we currently cater for and to finance the association’s payroll.  And we have instructions to find him something more to his liking, maybe a Labrador.  He’s so nice.”

            Sean Connery is not the only famous benefactor Triple A has attracted over the years with its work.  Gunilla von Bismarck, another Marbella regular, is a strong supporter and so too is businessman Lord White of Hull of America’s Hanson Industries, Marbella’s town hall supplies some of the infrastructure, but no funding.

            Triple A has become famous in Marbella circles since it was founded three years ago, and every August holds an auction which draws thousands of sponsors who bid for gifts donated by some of the benefactors, including Sean who once handed over a signed golf club.

            Brigitte Bardot, the sex kitten of the Sixties turned animal activist is also a supporter.  “She sends signed garments she wore in the Sixties,” says Maureen who puts the total number of rescued animals, including donkeys, at several thousand.  “The items often fetch enough money to keep us going for the entire year.  It’s really quite something.”

            Former 007 Sean has also been asked to preside over the association’s golf tournament planned for later this year to provide further funding for Triple A.