Charity day boost for gamekeepers’ charity

Over £5000 has been raised for the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust after a charity event.

Competitors and spectators turned out in force at the inaugural Lammermuirs Clay Shoot recently at the Tollishill Estate in the Scottish Borders.

Shooting enthusiasts joined forces to raise funds for the trust as gamekeepers from the Lammermuirs Moorland Group put them through their paces.

A total of 14 teams of four participants took part in the group competition, with 32 in total competing in the individual contest across the high guns, pool shoots and side by side categories – there was also an under 16 category. Each gun had to take part in a series of simulated game shoots throughout the day.

The Lammermuirs Moorland Group is committed in its efforts to support the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust and money raised from this event will go towards the Raising the Game campaign, a collective initiative which focuses on the support offered to gamekeepers, stalkers and ghillies in their professional career, personal health and wellbeing.

Competitors at the Lammermuirs Charity Clay shoot event

Helen Savage, coordinator of the Lammermuirs Moorland Group, said: ‘Our first ever Lammermuirs Charity Clay shoot event attracted a wide range of ages and abilities, making for a very enjoyable and successful day.

‘We were thrilled by the amount we managed to raise in just one day. It was a great family day out with a hog roast, bar and raffle organised, and we will certainly be making this an annual event which hopefully will become a highlight on everyone’s calendar.’

Helen Benson, of the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust, said: ‘We were delighted and absolutely astounded to receive a magnificent cheque of £5,000 from the Lammermuirs Moorland Group.

‘We would like to thank everyone involved immensely for their hard work in making this event such a success. These funds will help us significantly in our new campaign Raising the Game making a real difference to gamekeepers across the country.’

The winners on the day included: High Gun (Male) – W Gordon; High Gun (Female) – L Smith; Team Winners /Flush Winners – W Gordon, J Burn, S Burn, D Lyall; Under 16s High Gun – M McGregor; Pool Shoot – W Gordon; Side by Side – G Kennedy.