Double your donation and Protect the Pride
For one week only, every donation made to our Protect the Pride Earth Raise Appeal to save lions will be worth twice as much.
This week, we’re teaming up with The Big Give to take part in Earth Raise – a weeklong match-funding appeal to support our work to protect lions in Kenya.
For seven days, from 22nd to 29th of April, supporters who donate to our Protect the Pride appeal can have their donations DOUBLED, thanks to match funding provided by The Reed Foundation and generous Born Free pledgers.
Our aim is to raise a massive £100,000 to help lions, but we can only do it with your help! For every £20 you give, it will unlock a further £20 of the match funding, meaning Born Free receives £40 in total.
So please, dig deep and double your donation this week!
What is Earth Raise?
Earth Raise (previously known as the Green Match Fund) is a fundraising event organised by The Big Give, a platform which offers people the unique opportunity to double the difference they can make in the world for the causes close to their heart.
The climate crisis demands urgent action. Each of the last three decades has been hotter than the last, with the seven warmest years on record occurring between 2015 and 2021. Earth Raise is committed to amplifying the impact of every donation, doubling the difference for global efforts to protect and preserve our planet.
It’s a simple idea – when the public donates to a charity through a Big Give campaign, they ask funders (philanthropists, foundations or corporates) to match that donation. So, £50 from a member of the public becomes £100 for a good cause.
This year, we have set a target of £100,000 – so we need £50,000 of donations from the public, to unlock a further £50,000 in match funding.
If the target is reached, donations will no longer be doubled but will still be greatly appreciated.
How can I donate?
To take part and have your gift doubled, you need to make a donation to Born Free’s Protect the Pride campaign page on the Earth Raise website between midday on Wednesday 22nd April and midday on Wednesday 29th April. Donations made via the Earth Raise website during the campaign period will then be doubled!
Please note that donations made offline (such as via BACS transfer or by cheque in the post) or on other websites (including the Born Free website) cannot be doubled, but will be greatly appreciated.
How will my money help lions?
Meru lions
The film Born Free, about Elsa the lioness in Meru, Kenya, is 60 this year. That film changed attitudes toward wild animals from exploitation to conservation. But today, conflict with people and shrinking habitat mean the Meru lions are under threat again.
The main challenge is human-carnivore conflict, primarily due to human encroachment in previously wild areas. Kenya’s rapidly growing population has meant new communities and farms springing up in or near predator territory, creating conflict hotspots. Lions will naturally see livestock as food and kill. Equally naturally, livestock keepers will carry out retaliatory kills to protect their livestock.
Communities will be more tolerant of lions if we can reduce predation. With the funding raised by this appeal, Born Free could provide local people with predator-proof bomas (fences) & predator deterrent lights that deter lions from attacking cattle. It could also help fund teams across Meru who are a trusted voice for their communities, helping farmers to report and resolve conflicts, and protecting lions.
Donate today!
Don’t forget, only donations made between before midday on Wednesday 29th April count towards the target, and they MUST be made via the Earth Raise website to qualify.
With your help and support, we hope to meet our fundraising target of £100,000 which will make a huge difference for Meru’s lions.