‘We can do bold things when people come together’
Organisers of a national fundraising appeal are celebrating today having secured land surrounding the iconic Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset.
The appeal was backed by Sir Stephen Fry and reached its target in just 60 days – with donations received from as far as Australia.
Breaktime News reported on the campaign following its launch in early December. Organisers asked for public support in raising £330,000 toward the purchase (and care) of a 340‑acre site around the famous chalk figure.
They explain that land around iconic Cerne Abbas Giant can now be joined up to create a mosaic of habitats for wildlife, including rare species. Next steps include recruiting a dedicated ranger and re-chalking the Giant himself.
They add the moves will help to protect this ‘cherished landscape for nature, heritage and future generations.’
The appeal quickly gained international attention with local, national and international supporters immediately responding with donations of all sizes: from £1 to £32,000.
It meant The National Trust could hit its target in just 60 days and purchase the parcels of land, equivalent in size to 190 football pitches. Donations came in from 20 countries, including: Australia, Japan and Iceland.
Generous philanthropic gifts, grants and bequests over £2 million had kickstarted the project, with the appeal providing the final ‘piece of the puzzle’ to enable the land purchase to go ahead.
The village of Cerne Abbas lies beneath Giant Hill. Image: © James Beck / National Trust Images
‘We’re ramping up our work to restore nature’
‘Every gift, however big or small, helped us to make this transformational purchase,’ says Sian Wilkinson, Head of Public Fundraising.
‘We can now start creating a nature haven around the Giant, the next chapter in his long history. As part of our new strategy, we’re ramping up our work to restore nature, and this appeal shows we can do bold things when people come together.’
Work has already begun to recruit a local area ranger, who will lead National Trust staff, contractors and volunteers on next steps. The team will also be looking to work in partnership with organisations including Butterfly Conservation.
‘Entering 2026, it’s amazing that we now have this opportunity to do so much more around the Cerne Abbas Giant,’ explains Hannah Jefferson, General Manager for West Dorset & Cranborne Chase.
‘We were able to hit the target thanks to the generous donations made via the appeal, gifts from major donors, legacies, support from local businesses as well as grants, all knitting together to make this once-in-a-lifetime acquisition possible.’
‘We can now set about creating a patchwork or mosaic of habitats to help species adapt and thrive.’
And there are a large number of species set to benefit from the work, including the endangered Duke of Burgundy butterfly which survives at just six sites in Dorset. Their numbers are in decline across the rest of England.
By joining up parcels of land around the Giant’s lair, including a 147-acre Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), The National Trust will create 190 acres of new habitat.
Image: © James Beck / National Trust Images
‘The Giant himself will be re-chalked’
‘Now that the land is in our care, we’ll be getting to know the site and its opportunities, talking to the community about their aspirations and local knowledge, and applying for any relevant, additional grants to help us invest further in nature,’ says Hannah.
‘In early summer, the Giant himself will be re-chalked, with help from 10 appeal donors who won the money-can’t-buy experience as part of a Crowdfunder prize draw.’
‘The donors will join staff and volunteers to pack some 17 tonnes of chalk into the Giant’s vast outline, keeping weeds at bay and ensuring he remains visible for miles around for years to come.’
The National Trust explains the land purchase will unlock new opportunities for archaeology, building on analysis in 2021 which found that the Giant was probably first carved in the Early Medieval period (770–1100 AD).
‘The acquisition will provide an opportunity for archaeological research and investigation on a landscape scale,’ says Steve Timms, Archaeologist.
‘This will not only help us manage the land in the most appropriate way but also answer questions about the development of settlement and ritual activity over the area over several millennia.’
The National Trust adds that the fundraising appeal is remaining open, with further contributions helping the team to restore the chalk grassland, plant trees and improve access across the landscape.
