i Editor's Letter: Thank you for your generosity
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.
In five weeks, you have raised over £300,000 for our partner charity Space for Giants, a big leap on last year’s impressive £250,000. We are within sight of breaking the record for 28 years of our charity appeals – £356,000 – and will continue to accept donations.
Your generosity – and that of readers of our sister titles The Independent, The Independent on Sunday and the Evening Standard – will make a huge difference to conservationists on the ground who are trying to save East Africa’s last wild elephants. Simply, money talks. It will help to recruit and train new game wardens, to expand conservancy areas (which give communities an economic stake in these giants’ survival) and to lobby governments to fiercely enforce anti-poaching laws. Thank you. Thanks also to those who donated items to our auction, especially the Chapman Brothers, Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, whose artworks raised outstanding sums.
Newspapers customarily report back to readers on their chosen charities’ progress. We think, though, that we can do more than that this time. So as well as raising funds over the coming weeks, we will give our campaign a more political focus.
On 13 February, London will host the world’s highest-level summit to combat the £11bn-a-year illegal wildlife trade. It has the potential to be a landmark in protecting what remains of Earth’s big game – what our managing editor Sean O’Grady, who has worked on the campaign behind the scenes, calls “the Kyoto of conservation”. David Cameron has invited an unprecedented number of heads of state (from Africa and the ivory market nations in Asia) and NGOs. The Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge will attend. The goal is to deliver an unprecedented political commitment backed by government resources. Our sister website Independent Voices will lead the debate – and welcomes your input. Together we can pressure politicians to prevent these fabulous creatures from becoming extinct.
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