Platinum Ticket sales for Ricky Gervais’s UK tour dates of his stand-up show ‘Supernature’ raised profits of £427,243.42, which Gervais has split evenly and donated to three worldwide animal charities.
International Animal Rescue, Animals Asia & Nowzad have each received a donation of £142,414.47.
Ricky Gervais said: “It is such a privilege to be able to help animals in need, simply by doing a job that I already love.”
In an effort to take action against ticket touts, Platinum Tickets for the UK Supernature dates went on sale to guarantee premium seats at market rates, with the extra profits from these ticket sales going to Gervais’s chosen worthwhile causes.
The donations come ahead of the launch of Supernature on Netflix, streaming globally on the platform from Tuesday 24th May. In what is his second Netflix stand-up special, Gervais gives his take on the rules of comedy, spoiling his cat and debunks the supernatural, concluding that actual nature is super enough.
Alan Knight OBE, President of International Animal Rescue, said: “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, 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."
Pen Farthing, Founder & CEO of Nowzad, said: “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.”
