Ricky Gervais, the acclaimed comedian, has made a significant charitable contribution of nearly £2.5 million through his latest tour earnings. This generous donation will benefit various animal welfare organizations.
Details of the Donation
Gervais’s donation, amounting to £2.43 million, has been allocated to 22 charities. Some of the key beneficiaries include:
- PDSA
- International Animal Rescue
- Celia Hammond Animal Trust
- Animals Asia
The funds were primarily raised through the proceeds from premium seating sales during his “Mortality” stand-up tour, which took place over the years 2024 to 2025.
Gervais’s Thoughts on Philanthropy
Reflecting on his charitable actions, Gervais humorously stated, “My mum always used to say ‘you can’t take it with you.” He noted that while he could have indulged in extravagant luxuries, he chose to give back instead.
On social media platform X, Gervais expressed his excitement about the donations, stating, “To celebrate my Mortality Tour… I am donating £2.43m to animals.” He wishes his contributions to be a source of joy, particularly during the Christmas season.
Total Charitable Contributions
This latest donation builds upon the comedian’s previous successful philanthropic efforts. From his former ‘Armageddon’ tour, he contributed £1.9 million to charity. Altogether, Gervais has donated over £5 million from his last four specials.
List of Beneficiaries
In addition to the prominent charities mentioned earlier, several other organizations will receive support:
- Libearty Sanctuary
- Pangea
- Wild Futures
- All Dogs Matter
- Dogs On The Streets
- Paws2Rescue
- Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home
- Saving Strays
- Chaldon Animal Sanctuary
- Turgwe Hippo Trust
- Safe Haven For Donkeys
- Catastrophes Cat Rescue
Additional funds will support:
- Finding Shelter Animal Rescue
- Flori’s Friends Animal Rescue
- NYC Second Chance Rescue
- Helping Rhinos
- Retreat Animal Rescue
Distribution of Funds
The distribution of the donation reveals that four charities will each receive £150,000. Seventeen organizations will be allocated £100,000 each, while the remaining £132,000 will go to Nowzad.
Upcoming Projects
Fans of Gervais can look forward to his next Netflix special, “Mortality.” It is set to premiere on December 30. This special is also responsible for earning him a nomination for best performance in stand-up comedy at the Golden Globes.
Beyond his recent endeavors, Gervais is renowned for creating and starring in popular BBC sitcoms such as “The Office,” “Extras,” and “Life’s Too Short.” He has also gained recognition for Netflix’s “After Life” and Channel 4’s “Derek.”
