Thanks a million – campaign target reached to buy the home of the Welsh red dragon legend
A million pound appeal by the National Trust to buy one of Wales’ most iconic farms has reached its target in just over seven months, raising more than 4,000 a day thanks to donations from twenty thousand people.
The fundraising drive launched in March this year aimed to acquire the stunning 248 hectare (614 acre) Llyndy Isaf farm on the shores of Llyn Dinas near Beddgelert. It was spearheaded by Welsh Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys and supported by Catherine Zeta Jones.
Llyn Dinas was the site of the legendary battle between the red dragon and white dragon, with the former’s victory leading to its mythical status as the emblem of Wales.
Hollywood actor and appeal supporter Matthew Rhys said: “We’ve made it. Thank you so much to so many of you who dug so deep and supported our campaign to save Llyndy Isaf, this very special farm in the heart of Snowdonia.
“You raised a million pounds which now means it will be cared for forever by the National Trust, and secures that future generations shall also enjoy it free from the threat of commercial development.”
The plight of Llyndy Isaf sparked a number of other Welsh stars to join Matthew in urging the public to back the campaign. The appeal was also supported by actor Ioan Gruffudd and wildlife presenters Iolo Williams and Kate Humble.
Rhys Evans, National Trust’s Snowdonia Manager, explained: “We have been completely bowled over by the response from public it has been extraordinary how generous people have been.
“Despite these tough financial times they have really backed the appeal which really does show how much people care about protecting special places like Llyndy Isaf.”
Llyndy Isaf lies in the beautiful Nant Gwynant valley, near Beddgelert. It is one of the most well-known and environmentally important stretches of countryside in Snowdonia, untouched by intensive farming and home to many threatened wildlife species of international importance such as kingfishers, otters and the chough.
Rhys Evans added: “The challenge was always to raise the money by the end of the year to secure the future of Llyndy Isaf. Thanks to the generosity of so many we can begin consulting with the local community and the farming unions to decide on the next step for this special part of Wales.”
Video clips of Llyndy Isaf and Matthew Rhys can be viewed on the National Trust website www.nationaltrust.org,uk/wales
The National Trust is a charity with a statutory duty to preserve places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland ‘of historic interest and natural beauty for the benefit of the nation’. As Europe’s largest conservation charity it protects over 350 historic houses, 160 gardens, 1,100 kilometres of coastline, 254,000 hectares of land of outstanding natural beauty, six World Heritage Sites, 28 castles and 60 pubs – and give access to them for people to enjoy. The Trust has around 4 million members and 61,000 volunteers. Find out more at: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
Llyndy appeal time line
29/03/11 Day One
Llyndy Isaf Appeal is launched on the shores of Llyn Dinas by Welsh Hollywood star Matthew Rhys.
He said: “We have a once in a lifetime chance to buy and protect Llyndy Isaf, including Llyn Dinas, the beautiful lake that played a part in the dramatic scene which witnessed the birth of the Welsh dragon emblem.” Current owner of the farm Ken Owen said: “The decision to retire and leave Llyndy Isaf was not an easy one. It’s a beautiful place and we’ve spent 35 very happy years here. We’ve worked hard and over that time we’ve realised more and more the importance of farming in harmony with the environment. It’s amazing to see the wildlife returning to places where it hadn’t been for years. I’d like that to continue and that is why we have offered the farm to the National Trust as I know they will continue to farm it in the same way that I have.”
07/05/11 Day 40
Julie and Mark Allen from Denbigh cycled Mont Ventoux in France three times in one day climbing the equivalent of Snowdon four times (4,443m) and cycling a total of 136km to raise 600 for the appeal.
09/05/11 Day 42
Just six weeks in and already 500,000 had been raised. The Llyndy Isaf appeal received a further boost when Catherine Zeta Jones declared her support:
The Oscar winning Welsh actress said: “The National Trust plays a key role in protecting and managing the Welsh countryside, the beauty and landscape of Snowdonia is truly unique and we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to protect Llyndy Isaf in this stunning part of Wales for future generations. If we don’t act now the threat of commercial development could spoil the tranquillity of this special part of Snowdonia. Please support the campaign.”
27/06/11 Day 91
A fundraising event in London raises 34,000.
06/07/11 Day 100
Incredibly the 1million appeal reached the three quarter mark in its first 100 days, when the National Trust announced that 750,000 has been raised.
13/07/11 Day 107
TV wildlife presenter Iolo Williams added his voice to the appeal on the same day that the Countryside Council for Wales donated 25,000 to the campaign.
27/07/11 Day 121
Intrepid swimmers Heather Letley and Matthew Jones raised money for the campaign by swimming 2.25 miles of the Thames from Hampton Court Palace to Kingston, and North Wales artist Tina Holley donated 20 signed special edition prints to be sold in aid of the Llyndy Isaf Appeal.
26/09/11 Day 182
Inspired by the National Trust’s public appeal to purchase Llyndy Isaf film makers Pete Dungey and Joe Spiteri created a spellbinding movie to encourage more donations. Pete said of their film Imprisoned Paradise : “Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to visit this part of Wales, so our film aims to transport the viewer to the area for three brief minutes, so even somebody in a London office can appreciate the area and hopefully donate.”
10/10/11 Day 196
Hollywood heartthrob Ioan Gruffudd joined Catherine Zeta Jones and Matthew Rhys in support of the appeal as it was announced the total raised had reached 850,000. He said: “When I think of Wales, my homeland, I think of its beautiful coastline and its magnificent mountains, the magical and unspoilt places that make our country special. We now have a once in a lifetime chance to protect a small corner of Snowdonia. Please support the appeal so that our children and their children can marvel at the beauty of this part of Wales for many years to come.”
19/10/11 Day 205
A date with Welsh actor Matthew Rhys twinned with a day out in Snowdonia raised $4,500 for the appeal at a glamorous New York auction.
22/10/11 Day 208
A team of eight fund raisers from Warrington took on a sponsored walk up Snowdon and raised 1,000 for the appeal.
02/11/11 Day 219
As the National Trust announced that the 950,000 mark had been reached, television presenter Kate Humble urged the public to back the campaign and raise the last 50,000
She said: “The National Trust only needs another 50,000 to protect one of the UK’s most spectacular and important countryside landscapes. So much work has been done on the farm over the years and it would be tragic if the rich and diverse wildlife was lost. So, please support the National Trust’s urgent appeal.”
16/11/11 Day 233
Thank you all.
Matthew Rhys announces the magical 1million has been raised.
He said: “We’ve made it. Thank you so much to so many of you who dug so deep and supported our campaign to save Llyndy Isaf, this very special farm in the heart of Snowdonia.
“You raised a million pounds which now means it will be cared for forever by the National Trust, and secures that future generations shall also enjoy it free from the threat of commercial development. Thank you so much.”