The new crowdfunding platform we used this year is a curious and arcane beast, and as a result the honest truth is that we’re still not quite 100% certain what the precise final total (including “offsite” donations and a few that squeezed in after the technical deadline) is. But as best as we can make out, including everything, it’s this:
(Fundraiser page here, or click here to donate directly.) .
The current total stands at a phenomenal £128,600 – already the second-highest ever by a five-figure margin, and just £11,447 short of the all-time record.
We’re at the halfway point of our 2018 fundraiser, and the all-sources total so far is a thumpingly impressive £103,266 in just two weeks. But while that’s a tremendous sum, it’s sobering too.
Firstly because with an average monthly readership of nearly 304,000 people it comes to an average contribution of slightly under 30p per reader. As with most crowdfunded ventures, fewer than 1% of the site’s users have actually backed it financially so far.
And secondly because for perspective, the average Scottish adult – independence supporters included – sends the BBC about £72 a year. (£323m from 4.5m adults.)
While obviously a minority of folk do boycott the licence fee, that still means that the average Wings reader gives the BBC 240 times as much money every year as they give Wings to fight it.
Just a quick one-week-on update: thanks to your incredible support, our fundraiser for legal action now stands at a phenomenal £14,683 including all sources. We’re well beyond the initial target of £5000, but since even a modestly-eminent QC costs slightly over £8 a minute, every extra penny helps.
The Yes movement, like almost all movements, is plagued with a small but incredibly loud faction of intolerant, destructive extremists. Alert readers will have noticed that this site has again been the victim of them this week, but we’re not alone. They’ve also gone after two print publications – The National and iScot – over their “transgressions” against the beliefs of these self-appointed arbiters of what people are allowed to think.
What those two outlets and Wings have in common is achievement.
James on How it happened: ““Welcome, our Imperial Masters…”” Nov 8, 22:48
James on How it happened: “Nah. The site Prick only knows what he reads in his Daily Heil.” Nov 8, 22:34
Tinto Chiel on How it happened: “The only advantage of the new format seems to be that Tobias Ellwood’s Little Elves who formerly strove ceaselessly to…” Nov 8, 22:26
Mac on How it happened: “Yeah, I think you are right. The path to independence is not ‘democratically leaving a political union we never voted…” Nov 8, 22:07
James on How it happened: “You wish, Tory Boy.” Nov 8, 21:48
James on How it happened: “The Tony Blair-invented ‘Supreme Court’ you mean? LOL. Away and lie in yer water.” Nov 8, 21:47
James on How it happened: “Scots law or English law? One doesn’t overrule the other because it’s ‘newer’. They are different legal systems. For a…” Nov 8, 21:44
Mark Beggan on How it happened: “Dr Dogood and the tale of the soiled pants.” Nov 8, 21:44
Rab Clark on How it happened: “Nice one, thanks. 🙂 These are the other suggestions we’ve had via The Twitter: The Guidmen wi Tatterie Breeks. The…” Nov 8, 21:43
George Ferguson on How it happened: “I am not a fan of Common Weal after the 2014 Independence Referendum one of their members first action was…” Nov 8, 21:42
Alf Baird on How it happened: “Aye, plenty data Mac, and much of it informing the ‘UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries…” Nov 8, 21:41
James on How it happened: ““The Bare-Ersed Socialists”?” Nov 8, 21:35
Mac on How it happened: ““Which is why it is called ‘post’ colonial.” lol. You make me laugh at times Alf. When I thought about…” Nov 8, 21:24
moixx on How it happened: “I don’t think it’s true, but apparently some people do. Is it because they actually recognise that the woke element…” Nov 8, 21:17
Dan on How it happened: “Cheers for response George. I’ve not clicked a single like or dislike in all my years online on numerous forums.…” Nov 8, 21:17
Rab Clark on How it happened: “Some Friday Night Fun… If anyone would like to suggest a Scots title for a translation of ‘The Ragged Trousered…” Nov 8, 20:30
Aidan on How it happened: “That isn’t just an argument, I would say that is the core driving force behind Scottish independence. Whilst the people…” Nov 8, 20:20
George Ferguson on How it happened: “Hi Dan, The standard of BTL comments I think has improved. Self-policing has been partially effective. I still remain uncertain…” Nov 8, 20:14
Jay on How it happened: “On the balance of Ills, it would be less awful that you should be correct.” Nov 8, 20:09
Jay on How it happened: “Yours seems to be the first suggestion of pressure (rather than force?) from the eastern Mediterranean area, upon Pres P,…” Nov 8, 20:06
Jay on How it happened: “Where is the reference to your source for quotes in your previous comment? Please do not waste readers’ time. Too…” Nov 8, 19:22
Dan on How it happened: “Nae bother, the same names have caught a few folk out over the years.” Nov 8, 19:16
Dan on How it happened: “A few weeks on from “the site upgrade”… Serious question, how is everyone finding trying to follow comments? It’s a…” Nov 8, 19:13
John Cleary on How it happened: “Ah. Thank you Dan” Nov 8, 19:01
Tinto Chiel on How it happened: “I agree, Mia, and we have no freedom and democracy because we have no free press. The MSM are merely…” Nov 8, 18:56
Dan on How it happened: “It’s a different Liz Lloyd.” Nov 8, 18:54
Jay on How it happened: “hey Steve, what about some answers to my response to your previous comment? Also, considering that Skip NC has taken…” Nov 8, 18:49