Ricky Gervais has made an enormous donation to worldwide animal charities from the proceeds of his Supernature ticket sales.
The comic, 60, has chosen to split £427,243.42 from the Platinum ticket sales of his Supernature UK tour dates between three animal charities.
The sum has been split equally, meaning International Animal Rescue, Animals Asia & Nowzad have each received a donation of £142,414.47.
Ricky said of the donation: ‘It is such a privilege to be able to help animals in need, simply by doing a job that I already love.’
Supernature, Ricky’s latest stand-up special – his second overall – is set to launch globally on Netflix on May 24.
In the special, Ricky gives his take on the rules of comedy, spoiling his cat and debunks the supernatural, concluding that actual nature is super enough.
He’d also made sure that the Platinum tickets for the UK Supernature dates went on sale to guarantee premium seats at marker rates, in order to stop ticket touts from reselling them at inflated prices, ensuring the resulting profits could be donated to Ricky’s chosen charities.
The charities were over the moon with the huge donation, with Pen Farthing, Founder & CEO of Nowzad, saying: ‘The Nowzad charity, its staff and the animals we care for, are just beyond thrilled and (and somewhat still in shock) at the amazing and super generous donation from Nowzad patron; Ricky Gervais.
‘The man’s comic talents are legendary but his passion and drive for promoting and supporting animal welfare knows no limits. Thank you Ricky – from all of us. You are the difference.’
Alan Knight OBE, President of International Animal Rescue, added: ‘We’re bowled over by Ricky’s incredibly generous donation to International Animal Rescue from the proceeds of his Supernature tour.
‘It’s a privilege to be entrusted with this money which will enable us to make a difference to countless animals’ lives. It’s been tough lately raising funds for our projects – but Ricky’s support will give a massive boost to our work rescuing suffering animals from cruelty and neglect and giving them a second chance at a “happy ever after life.” Thank you Ricky, we’re so very grateful!’
Jill Robinson MBE, Founder & CEO of Animals Asia, also said: ‘We are incredibly proud and thankful to have Ricky as a long time supporter. He has been a key voice in raising awareness of bear bile farming globally; a cruel practice that has been pushing both moon and sun bears toward extinction.
‘Thanks to his genuine interest and support for our global campaigns, we have been able to reach animal lovers around the world to save these beautiful species together. As a result, in Vietnam, we are about to take the historic step of ending bear bile farming in the country forever.
‘Soon, we will start to build our new sanctuary to save the last bears on bile farms, a place of peace where we will all celebrate Ricky’s kindness into the future.’
