Nation rallies to safeguard iconic White Cliffs of Dover 12 Nov 2012 A 1.2 million appeal launched by the National Trust in the summer to raise funds to acquire the iconic stretch of the White Cliffs of Dover coastline has reached its target in just 133 days, raising an average of 9,000 per day. The Trust needed the money to buy a 0.8 mile stretch of this world-famous and much-loved piece of the Kent coastline overlooking the port. It completes the missing link of coastline under National Trust care, uniting a stretch of more than 7km (nearly 5 miles) between the Trust's visitor centre and South Foreland Lighthouse. More than 16,000 people and organisations* have supported the White Cliffs of Dover appeal which was launched in June 2012 with an average donation of 40.21 (including Gift Aid) from members of the public. Hundreds of messages of support were posted on a virtual White Cliffs of Dover on the charity's website**. Donations from supporters included a significant contribution from the Dover Harbour Board, which helped the Trust to reach its target earlier than had been anticipated, and support from the Regatta Foundation, Royal Oak Foundation and 16 National Trust supporter groups. The fundraising drive was given a boost in July when a number of household names including Dame Vera Lynn, Dame Judi Dench and the soul singing sensation and Dover-born Joss Stone gave their support. Writer and philosopher Julian Baggini spent a week in August at the White Cliffs in Dover