The Second Douglas Adams Memorial Lecture

On Thursday 11 March 2004, on what would have been Douglas's 52nd birthday, Robert Swan gave the second Douglas Adams Memorial Lecture at the Royal Institution.

In 1989 Robert Swan became the first man to have walked to both the North and South Poles, and his 900-mile journey "In the Footsteps of Scott" across the treacherous Antarctic ice cap to the South Pole still stands as the longest unassisted walk ever made. In January 2002, Robert led "Mission Antarctica", a clean-up operation that removed 1,000 tons of waste from the continent.

You can find out more about Robert Swan's work, including the Robert Swan Foundation, by visiting his website.

The Lecture was followed by a raffle and fundraising auction held in aid of the two charities of which Douglas was Patron: Save the Rhino International and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

Save the Rhino would particularly like to thank the following:

• The audience, for coming and for buying raffle tickets and/or bidding
• Robert Swan, for giving such an inspirational and entertaining lecture
• Douglas's family, particularly Jane, James, Sue and Jane, for their help,
  and Jane and James for their performances on the night!
• Stanley Johnson for giving the vote of thanks
• Dirk Maggs, for the donation of the radio scripts
• Hammer and Tongs Productions, for the donation of the visit to the set of
  the movie, "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"
• Malcolm Stathers, for the donation of the bronze white rhino
• Sally Oyler, for the donation of the painting
• Richard Goleszowksi and the Creature Comforts team at Aardman Animations for the donation of Douglas the Rhino