Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE National Trust campaign to buy Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, has had little impact. In the three weeks since its launch, the Welsh have donated an average of around 5p per head towards the target figure of pounds 4m.
Apathy and hostility from those who feel the mountain should be owned by an exclusively Welsh organisation are among the reasons cited for the low level of donations.
Last week, in an effort to add local impetus to the campaign, the North Wales-based power generating company First Hydro pledged pounds 100,000. This followed the pounds 1m launch pledge by actor Sir Anthony Hopkins, son of a Port Talbot baker.
The National Trust, which already owns 10 of the highest peaks in Snowdonia, launched its campaign after beating off some 100 other prospective bids.
So far it has raised pounds 1.6m, but excluding the donations by Sir Anthony, First Hydro and a further pounds 200,000 from the runner and mountaineer Chris Brasher, the public fund is running at just pounds 300,000. Up to half the donations may have come from sources such as non-Welsh walkers, National Trust visitors in England and fans of Sir Anthony. Only around pounds 150,000 has come from within Wales, which works out at between 5p and 10p per head.
There are fears that the target may not be reached without further corporate donations. The National Trust said it did not specifically lobby First Hydro, but had written to a range of large companies seeking contributions.
"We would welcome any donations. Various companies have said they would support us in different ways," explained Ruth Williams, marketing manager for the National Trust in Wales.
First Hydro called on its commercial rivals to make similar donations. "The power industry has got a lot out of Wales. This is a chance for it to help save Snowdon for the principality. We have been talking to our competitors in an effort to engender enthusiasm and drive for the project," said a spokeswoman.
The National Trust said it had no doubts its bid to buy two estates in the heart of Snowdonia, including the summit of Cnicht, known as the Welsh Matterhorn, and a third of the summit of Snowdon, would be successful. The Welsh Office, which owns another third of Snowdon, has promised to donate its land to the Trust.
"It's the most important piece of countryside in Wales," said Ms Williams. "From the support we have had from most of the public, we are confident most people are backing us and that we will get the money. The volume of people donating has been overwhelming."
But will it be enough? The trust needs to raise pounds 3m to buy the 4,118- acre estate by the end of October, but associated costs are expected to push the final amount up to around pounds 4m. If public donations continue at the current rate of pounds 100,000 a week, then the appeal will struggle to reach its target.
"People have not really taken to it as we expected they would," said Simon Farrington, deputy editor of the Western Mail in Cardiff. "There might be a feeling the Welsh Office might have been a better organisation to raise the money. The mountain has been in private hands for many years without a problem and people may think it won't matter if it stays that way.
"People may think they have better things to donate to than helping the National Trust buy Snowdon."
In an effort to publicise the campaign, Sir Anthony flew into a windswept Snowdonia last week. The actor, who first visited the mountain in 1956, said he agreed to support the campaign after witnessing what he described as "the wholesale destruction and industrial vandalism of the area around my birthplace, Margam, in South Wales".
He added: "I love Wales. It is important for me as a Welshman. Snowdon is a great mythological symbol of Wales. It is wild and untamed."
The sale of the mountain and two farms follows the decision of the current landowner, Richard Williams, to sell the Hafod y Llan and Gelli Iago estates, which take in the land in question, to concentrate on other properties.
Donations to the Snowdon appeal can be made by credit card. Call the National Trust in Wales on 01492 860123.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments