A call has been made for ‘a momentous final effort’ to back a fundraising appeal to buy The Rothbury Estate.

The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust have raised £20.7m thanks to the generous support of over 23,000 donors, including several high value pledges.

However, they need a further £9m to reach their £30m target with just over a month before the deadline.

The 9,500-acre estate is on the market after more than seven centuries in the ownership of the Percy family.

A visualisation of what Wards Hill on The Rothbury Estate could look like in the future under The Wildlife Trusts care. Picture: The Ruby Cube

placeholder image — A visualisation of what Wards Hill on The Rothbury Estate could look like in the future under The Wildlife Trusts care. Picture: The Ruby Cube

Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said: “We’ve been bowled over by the response to the appeal to secure this beautiful and inspiring place, with funding and offers of help pouring in from all over the UK and further afield.

"We’ve still got a bit of a climb to get to the summit, but the thousands of messages of personal support show just how strongly people feel about The Rothbury Estate and believe in our vision for its future, and I feel sure we can do it.

“Together, we can reach the £30m needed to purchase this remarkable Northumberland landscape and to create a place where nature and communities can thrive side by side. In the words of Sir David Attenborough, ‘Please help us make this vision a reality.’”

In recent weeks, Ringtons have made a £50,000 donation and Northumberland cycling club – the Cycling Cranks - have gifted £1,000 to the appeal and are advising on how future access to the Estate might change to help enable more people enjoy it.

Wards Hill on The Rothbury Estate. Picture: The Wildlife Trusts

Ted Liddle, Cycling Cranks organiser, hopes this would ‘provide a higher level of wildlife management, improve public access and ideally repurpose the disused railway track which crosses the property as a Greenway path to be enjoyed recreationally by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and disabled people’.

He added: “It is a unique opportunity to provide new, managed countryside access with benefits for health and wellbeing. We only wish other outdoor active groups would follow our example to help progress this environment-focused and community-facing initiative.”

However, their has not been universal support. The bid has led to concerns from some farmers and local stakeholders who have stressed the importance of preserving the long-standing farming communities in the area.

To donate, please visit www.wildlifetrusts.org/appeals/rothbury-estate-nature-and-nation