One of the largest grants has been received during the two-year fundraising appeal to buy a Northumberland estate for nature.
A £1.94 million pledge from the Government has provided a welcome boost to the bid by The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust to purchase The Rothbury Estate in its entirety for £30 million.
The Rothbury Estate is one of Northumberland’s most remarkable landscapes.
Covering more than 3,800 hectares, it is home to a range of wildlife, cultural heritage and communities who have cared for the land for generations.
The bid partners say that it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure the estate’s future and keep it intact for nature, people and future generations.
The Government grant adds to a £5 million award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, as well as several other donations from funders, philanthropists and the public.
At almost 9,500 acres, the Rothbury Estate offers an extraordinary opportunity to restore nature at scale, strengthen nature-friendly farming and improve public access.
The Wildlife Trusts remain committed to fundraising and are also exploring how low-interest loans could help the appeal meet its target by the end of the month.
Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said: “We’re thrilled to have the Government’s support and recognition of the scale of our ambitions at the Rothbury Estate, and this grant will take us another step closer to realising our vision for one of the largest nature recovery projects England has ever seen.
“Together with the millions generously donated by philanthropists, charitable funds and thousands of members of the public, this rubber stamp of approval from the Government makes the Rothbury Estate a nationally significant landscape.”
The Rothbury Estate includes moorland, woodland, rivers and farmland in the heart of Northumberland – equivalent to the size of central London – and includes the Simonside Hills.
The estate lies at the heart of a potential 40-mile nature recovery corridor stretching from the coast to Kielder.
More than £28 million has been raised towards its £30 million target thanks to support from thousands of people across the North East, the UK and around the world.
The appeal received a further boost following the success of September’s match-funding campaign, which raised more than £1.6 million. Inspired by that achievement, three additional donors have pledged support for a new £150,000 match fund.
Until the end of October, every £1 donated will be matched, doubling its impact.
Catherine Kirkham, head of fundraising at Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received.”
Anyone wishing to support the appeal can do so via the website.
