Bid to buy huge estate for nature passes £10m milestone

A CONSERVATION campaign backed by Sir David Attenborough to raise £30 million to secure a vast upland estate in Northumberland for nature has celebrated reaching one third of the total.

- TOM WILKINSON

The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust aim to buy a historic 9,500-acre estate near Rothbury and boost nature, restore bogs and support environmentally friendly farming. The estate includes grouse moor, woodland, farms, streams and rivers and represents the largest land sale in England for decades.

Sir David supported the bid to raise £30 million when it launched in October and the campaigners have announced the total had passed £10 million by the end of 2025. People worldwide have been inspired to help, with the BBC reporting that donations have come from the United States, Canada and New Zealand.