A DAVID Attenborough-backed bid to save a vast Northumberland estate is within "touching distance" of its £30 million target after anonymous donors pledged £5.5m in just a week.
The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust say the Rothbury Estate appeal has, at the time of writing, reached £26,272,211, including donations and pledges.
That leaves the charities needing £3,727,789 to buy the entire 3,800-hectare estate, with legal completion due by the end of October.
The landmark appeal aims to secure the 15-square-mile landscape of moorland, woodland, farmland, streams and rivers for nature and the public.
The trusts said the £5.5m pledged during the past week came from donors who wished to remain anonymous.
Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said the campaign's momentum had been "heartening and humbling".
"It is clear that stories of hope and positive action are resonating with people far beyond The Rothbury Estate’s boundaries," he said.
"Having marked the incredible £20m milestone moment only last week, it has been the most extraordinary few days for the appeal, and we're really excited to now be within touching distance of the £30m needed to purchase the entire estate.
"This has been a remarkable collective effort, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone that has supported so far. Now let's make it happen, let's get this over the line."
The trusts are working to put low-interest loans in place by the end of September as a contingency, although they say they hope the funding will not be needed.
They said the arrangements were intended to ensure they could complete the purchase and deliver their vision for the historic landscape even if the fundraising target had not been met in full.
A new match-funding appeal has also been launched, with The Dixon Foundation, Ringtons and a third anonymous donor combining to double donations of up to £600,000 made before September 30.
The trusts said this could raise £1.2m towards securing the estate, with every donation made in August and September eligible to be doubled. The original £100,000 August match fund was reached in seven days before the further £500,000 support was added.
Sir David Attenborough backed the campaign last year, with his short film helping trigger more than £1m in donations in just over a week.
The Rothbury Estate includes the Simonside Hills and has been identified as a potential centrepiece of a 40-mile wild corridor stretching from the Northumberland coast towards Kielder and the Scottish border.
Donations can be made through The Wildlife Trusts' Rothbury Estate appeal and match-funding page. The match offer runs until September 30.
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