George RR Martin is famous for two things - his hugely popular series of books (adapted into the Game of Thrones television series) and his love of killing off his characters.
So, when the famed author offered his readers a chance to become a character that will be killed off in his next book, thousands jumped at the opportunity.
In exchange for donations of $20,000 (€15,000) to Martin's wolf sanctuary crowdfunding campaign with Prizeo, he would grant two lucky people the opportunity to appear in his next novel.
While the two places were quickly filled and his campaign raised over $450,000 (€330,000) for the organisation, it is the heartfelt letter of a young fan which has captured everyone's attention.
A 13-year-old GOT fanatic and aspiring wolf conservationist named Jack wanted nothing more than a "gruesome grizzly death" in his favourite author's book.
In his letter to Martin, he explains how he donated all his pocket money savings, £153, to Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary and while this can't possibly match the $20,000 donation requirement, he hopes it is enough.
Prizeo
Unfortunately, for young Jack, the two positions in the book were already filled, but his heartfelt letter was enough to get a personal response from Martin.
He replied to Jack, thanking him for his support and explained that he was so moved by his donation that he decided to make a donation of $10,000 to the charity in Jack's name.
The letter reads:
"Dear Jack,
Thank you so much for your heartfelt, touching note.
I’ve heard that you donated all your £153 pocket money savings to my Prizeo fundraiser on behalf of the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. I cannot tell you how much that moved me. It pleases me no end to know that my novels, and the TV series based on them, have inspired readers as young as yourself to rally to the support of these majestic and too often stigmatized animals
Alas, I cannot promise you a grisly death in THE WIND OF WINTER. Those spots have already been filled by some very generous donors, and there’s a limit to how many people even I can kill.
However, inspired by your example, my friends at Prizeo and I would love to follow your lead with a $10,000 in your name to the UK Wolf Conservation Trust. That’s a wonderful organization that I've heard much about, and they are lucky to count people like you as supporters.
I wish you the best of luck in your future career as a wolf conservationist, and hope that you inspire many others to follow your lead.
Yours,
GRRM"
