A dog who was thrown from Canterbury city wall received the urgent surgery he needed after comedian Ricky Gervais donated £100,000 to a local animal rescue charity.

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Hugo, a black Labrador described by rescuers as a “gentle giant”, suffered multiple fractures after being thrown from the wall back in December.

A member of the public witnessed what happened, took him home and tried to find help.

Flori’s Friends Rescue later stepped in.

In a post shared in December 2025, the charity said: “The night before last a lovely member of the public witnessed a beautiful dog get thrown off Canterbury city wall . She took him home and begged everyone for help and sadly not a single person / vet would help her.”

The charity said Hugo needed surgery for a broken toe, initially putting the cost of that operation at £1,700.

“Yesterday we stepped in and got the dog the surgery he needed for his broken toe . It was an eye watering £1700,” the post read. “This boy, even when in pain was a gentle giant. Friendly, kind and calm.”

Hugo was described as around two years old, healthy and a mastiff x Labrador.

The charity also said at the time that it did not have space to take him in permanently and was hoping either his finder or somebody local to Canterbury could temporarily foster him while a new home was found.

“He has been named Hugo,” the charity added.

Months later, Flori’s Friends Rescue revealed that an “extraordinarily generous” donation from Ricky Gervais had helped cover Hugo’s wider urgent surgery and care.

Gervais donated £100,000 to the charity, with the money used across a range of treatments for animals in need.

Flori’s Friends Rescue said: “We’ve received this support with immense gratitude, and we wanted to share how it’s already making a real difference.”

The charity later listed Hugo among the animals whose treatment had been covered by the donation, saying: “Hugo the dog who was thrown off the city wall received the urgent surgery and care he needed – £5,000”

The funding also helped several other animals.

Three dogs were able to receive stem cell transplants, at a total cost of £12,000.

Georgie, a paralysed Yorkie, received specialist medical treatment including MRIs and went on to make a full recovery, with the charity putting the cost at £6,000.

A cat named Tina was treated for toxoplasmosis after nearly dying twice, with £4,500 spent on scans and medication.

Seven paralysed dogs received daily care, life-saving drugs, pain relief and specialist treatment, costing £2,000.

Two paralysed dogs were also given custom-made wheels, costing another £2,000.

Tony the cat received £9,000 worth of treatment for multiple infections, floating tooth roots and spinal issues, while 23 cats were neutered at a cost of £3,300.

The charity thanked Gervais, Peter Egan and its top-tier patron Marc the Vet for their support.

“From all of us, and from every animal whose life has been touched by this support, thank you,” officials from the charity wrote in a post.

They added: “Your compassion has made the seemingly impossible possible.

“In just 16 weeks of this year, the impact has been nothing short of extraordinary and none of it would have happened without you.”

Gervais had made the six-figure donation earlier in the year, alongside another £100,000 donation to Retreat Animal Rescue Farm Sanctuary in High Halden, near Ashford.

Flori’s Friends Rescue also said it had been chosen as one of Gervais’ charities for his world tour.

In a separate post, the charity wrote: “It is an absolute honour to be one of @rickygervais chosen charities for his world tour!”

It added: “Some days it feels like there is no point but finally we are starting to feel like there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you so much, Ricky, from all of us here.”

Gervais really is one of those comedians who has a knack for making us both laugh and cry.

Featured image credit: Flori’s Friends Rescue/Instagram/RickyGervais