Thousands of supporters and well-wishers have tipped the appeal to buy the historic Rothbury Estate in Northumberland over the £10m mark on the last day of 2025. It represents an important and exciting milestone for the £30m fundraiser.

Donations have been building steadily throughout 2025 alongside thousands of supportive messages from the public – and in the weeks since Sir David Attenborough lent his support to The Wildlife Trusts’ purchase of the Rothbury Estate, support has soared with well over £1m extra donations added. 

With less than 12 months to go to raise the £30m total, the countdown is on. As 2026 begins, The Wildlife Trusts, in partnership with Northumberland Wildlife Trust, are looking forward to seeing what new and innovative ways supporters will find to fundraise in the New Year. To date, a number of fun, fundraising activities have taken place, many in the local community of Rothbury, including family crafting days and Rothbury WI fundraising events.

Start 2026 by standing with Sir David Attenborough for the Rothbury Estate: people can support the appeal at www.wildlifetrusts.org/appeals/rothbury-estate-nature-and-nation

Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, says:

“We’re thrilled to be passing the £10m mark and thank absolutely everyone who has contributed so far. It’s wonderful to be at the heart of so much local support and also to know that there are so many champions for our vision all over the world. It’s lovely to take this moment to reflect on the last year and celebrate this milestone, our focus is now on keeping up the fundraising drive and energy as we look towards the £20m mark in the appeal. 

"This is a once in a generation opportunity, we are working hard with the local community to grasp it.”

Liz Bonnin, President of The Wildlife Trusts, says:

 “This is a really exciting and significant milestone in our journey to protect the wild and beautiful Rothbury Estate for generations to come. It shows just how much it has captured the hearts of people, and how many of us care about its future. Let’s keep the momentum going! We now have a little under a year to reach the £30m target, and I know that together, we can succeed.”

At 9,500 acres, the Rothbury Estate is the size of Athens – or central London – and was the largest area of land to be put on sale in England for 30 years. It offers huge scope for restoring nature at scale, to benefit both wildlife and people.

The aim is to protect and revitalise habitats for wildlife such as curlew, pine marten, beaver and golden eagle – this will have real significance for a greater area beyond its boundaries because the estate lies at the heart of a 40-mile nature corridor, stretching from the north-east coast of England to the central Scottish border.