PRO-INDEPENDENCE website Wings Over Scotland has broken its fundraising record after recording £140,000 in donations.
Launched on May 13, the crowdfunder set the target of £50,000 to keep the site running for another year.
But as of noon on Friday, £139,732 had been raised thanks to 2961 donations – surpassing last year’s total of £127,400.
According to the website’s homepage, the total including donations from all sources has surpassed £150,000
Bath-based blogger Stuart Campbell, who runs Wings Over Scotland, commented: “I’m madly nervous every year when we launch the fundraiser, and more so this year than ever before.
“Every indy website including us has had a substantial drop in traffic due to the totally moribund Scottish political scene of the last two years, and our criticisms of the SNP’s independence strategy and defence of women’s rights over the trans issue have antagonised a fair few people – there’s been a real outpouring of hate from the young ‘woke’ end of the movement about the latter in particular – so I really thought we might take a hit this time.
“To instead have beaten the all-time record with days to spare is beyond my wildest dreams.
“The last couple of years have been a bit rough for one reason and another, we’ve been under a sustained and heavy attack from all sides, so it’s both completely humbling and re-energising to see how much people value Wings.
He added: “Our readers are incredible, in so many ways, and it’s a privilege to work for them.”
The website says money raised will go towards commissioning polls, paying contributors and the Wings Fighting Fund.
It was also revealed yesterday that Campbell will be the latest guest on the Alex Salmond Show.
Announcing the news, Campbell tweeted: “So, can now officially reveal what most of you figured out a while back anyway – will be appearing on the @AlexSalmondShow.”
The former First Minister’s programme will be broadcast at 7.30am next Thursday on Russia Today.
The latest episode comes two months after Campbell took Kezia Dugdale to court over comments she made in the Daily Record newspaper.
The blogger was seeking £25,000 in damages from the former Labour leader but his attempt to sue was rejected by the courts, despite the judge deciding that he was not homophobic.
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