Sir David Attenborough helps charity raise over £1M to buy nature reserve

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A charity has managed to raise over £1M to buy a nature reserve, thanks to help from Sir David Attenborough.

In November last year, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust announced it was bidding to buy the Attenborough Nature Reserve. It needed to raise over a million pounds to cover the cost of the reserve and maintenance for years to come.

Thanks to a major grant from Biffa Award and thousands of individual donations a total of £1,133,000 has been raised in less than three months.

High-profile local figures such as Sir Paul Smith were among those to show their support.

The appeal was further boosted with a recent donation of £75,000 from Broxtowe Borough Council – a long-term supporter of the Trust.

The appeal has been backed from the beginning by legendary wildlife broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough Credit: PA

The appeal has been backed from the beginning by legendary wildlife broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough.

Sir David, who has close family links to, and opened, Attenborough village in 1966, has previously described the nature reserve as “a lifeline to the natural world”.

Ahead of the appeal launch he described the site as “a symbol of hope in a challenging world” and urged nature-lovers to "give generously".

A Heron searches for food at Attenborough Nature Reserve Credit: PA
Birds in the snow at Attenborough nature reserve Credit: PA
A mallard keeps an eye on her brood of ducklings, hatched at the Attenborough Nature Credit: PA

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has been managing the site for more than 50 years.

From its opening in 1966, the reserve has become one of the best loved nature reserves in the UK welcoming half a million visitors every year.

It is considered as one of the best places to see kingfisher as well as rare species such as otters and bitterns.

The Trust is currently working to complete the purchase of the site but will keep the appeal open as it plans for the long term future of the reserve.