The National Trust hits £500,000 mark for Llyndy Isaf, Snowdonia, appeal

The National Trust has announced that over half a million Pounds (£500,000) has been donated only one month after it launched an appeal to secure the future of one of Snowdonia's most precious landscapes.

The campaign to raise £1 million to secure Llyndy Isaf was given an extra boost as Welsh Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta Jones declared her emphatic support for the appeal. She said: "The National Trust plays a key role in protecting and managing the Welsh countryside, the beauty and landscape of Snowdonia is truly unique and we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to protect Llyndy Isaf in this stunning part of Wales for future generations. If we don't act now the threat of commercial development could spoil the tranquillity of this special part of Snowdonia. Please support the campaign."

Just over one month ago another Welsh actor, Matthew Rhys, called on the people of Wales and beyond to help the National Trust raise the money to buy Llyndy Isaf, a 600 acre (248ha) upland farm on the shores of Llyn Dinas lake in Snowdonia, making it the National Trust's biggest countryside appeal in the UK in over ten years.

"We're absolutely delighted with the response we've had from the public," said Richard Neale, the National Trust's general manager in Snowdonia. "We're well on our way to raising the £1 million needed to secure the future of Llyndy Isaf, thanks to the generosity of individuals who have made donations by post and online.

"When we launched the appeal I started a blog and I've been amazed by the response. People have been asking me questions about the place, what the threats to it are and how they can donate, it all goes to show how much people care about protecting special places like Llyndy Isaf for the future. I know we're half way there but we can't rest, we still need another £500,000 to enable us to buy the farm and undertake immediate and essential environmental improvements."

Llyndy Isaf lies in the beautiful Nant Gwynant valley, near Beddgelert. It is one of the most well-known and environmentally important stretches of countryside in Snowdonia, untouched by intensive farming and home to many threatened wildlife species of international importance (such as kingfishers, otters and the chough). Without public support the farm and valley could be at risk of commercial development and the tranquillity destroyed.

The appeal to buy Llyndy Isaf is launched under the umbrella of the National Trust's Snowdonia Appeal. In 1998 with support from its president at the time, Welsh actor Sir Anthony Hopkins, it raised £4 million to buy the 4118 acre Hafod y Llan estate on the southern flank of Snowdon.

To find out more please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk.