Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton draws on 21m followers to back our Art for Animals drive

Lewis Hamilton has backed our Stop The Illegal Wildlife Trade campaign. The seven-time Formula One champion gave his support to Art for Animals, which raises funds for the Evening Standard’s campaign with our sister title The Independent.

He told his 21 million followers on Instagram this week: “It’s so important that we fight [to] protect our planet’s amazing wildlife. The illegal wildlife trade damages our environment and threatens endangered species. That’s why I’m supporting Art for Animals.”

Other stars who have supported Art for Animals include singer Rita Ora, former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, comedian Jack Whitehall and presenter Pips Taylor. 

Hamilton shared an image of an elephant, below, created exclusively for the campaign by renowned photographer David Yarrow.

The print is available to buy until December 8 with all profits going to our campaign charity partner, Space for Giants, who help empower frontline law enforcers taking on wildlife criminals and protecting animals at risk.

Hamilton said: “I’ve chosen this beautiful image and am buying one,” before encouraging his followers to buy one too to “support this incredible cause”.

This is the first time Hamilton has spoken out about the illegal wildlife trade. One in four elephants that were alive in 2007 have since been killed, most slaughtered for their ivory.

As well as the elephant image by Yarrow, a striking photograph of a leopard approaching water taken by photographer and filmmaker Adrian Steirn is also on sale to support the campaign.  

Prints of both images, which are signed and numbered, have been released on a never-to-be-repeated limited run. They cost £500 each or £900 for both. Yarrow said: “There has never been a more critical time to protect wildlife, but the truth is there is never an uncritical time.”