Ricky Gervais donates share of £2.43m to Mid Sussex based donkey charity
Comedian Ricky Gervais has made a huge Christmas donation to an animal charity near Haywards Heath.
The celebrated actor and writer announced that Safe Haven For Donkeys would receive a share of more than £2million donated to 22 charities this winter.
His Facebook message on Tuesday, December 9, said: “To celebrate my Mortality Tour, my Netflix Special, my Golden Globes nomination and The Spirit of Christmas, I am donating £2.43million to animals. These are the lovely charities I’ve chosen. Merry Xmas Critters.”
Other charities to benefit from a share of the money include: PDSA, All Dogs Matter, Helping Rhinos, Wild Futures and Celia Hammond Animal Trust.
Safe Haven For Donkeys said on Facebook: “What fantastic news! Thank you @rickygervais from the bottom of all our hearts and from the animals whose lives will be transformed thanks to your generosity.”
The group is based at More House Farm, Ditchling Road, Wivelsfield, and aims to help thousands of working donkeys in both in Israel and Palestinian territories. The charity offers critical care for working and abandoned donkeys, mules and horses with its Israel sanctuary providing life-long care for about 180 animals. Visit www.safehaven4donkeys.org to find out more.
The charity confirmed to this newspaper that Ricky Gervais has donated £100,000 to them.
Andy Foxcroft, CEO of Safe Haven for Donkeys, said: “Ricky’s generosity comes at a time of exceptional pressure for our teams supporting donkeys in Gaza and the West Bank. With movement heavily restricted and demand for urgent veterinary care continuing to rise, this donation will help us keep our life-saving work going in extremely challenging conditions.
“We remain deeply grateful for every supporter who helps us continue this essential work. Ricky’s donation is a vital boost, but the need is still immense and we rely on the public’s ongoing kindness to reach as many donkeys as possible this Christmas and beyond.
“We are also grateful to our Patron, actor and animal advocate Peter Egan, whose long-standing support for Safe Haven has helped raise awareness of our work. We know this has played a part in bringing the plight of working donkeys in Gaza and the West Bank to the attention of many compassionate people, including Ricky Gervais.”