07 July 2015

Charity clay shoot raises £80,000 for soldiers and wildlife

Sir Ian Botham (right) was among the special guests at the charity clay shoot at Warter Priory in June. His son Liam (2nd right) won the top prize on the second day of the event. Photocredit: Josh Harrison MediaA two-day clay shoot held at Warter Priory Estate in Yorkshire in June has raised over £80,000 to be split between the two organising charities, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).

Blessed with good weather, over 40 teams took part shooting over a variety of challenging stands plus archery and a Gnat (model aeroplane) shoot on Friday 5 and Monday 8 June. Special guests included a team of Red Arrows who generously donated a day with them at RAF Scampton and Sir Ian Botham, whose son Liam won the top prize on the second day, receiving magnums of Gosset Champagne and Purdey goodie bags.

A delicious three-course lunch was followed by an auction, conducted with aplomb by Sir Thomas Ingilby. Guest speakers Corporal Andy Garthwaite, injured in Afghanistan in 2010, and Ian Coghill, Chairman of the GWCT, highlighted the necessity to support these two worthy causes.

The Soldiers’ Charity is the Army’s National Charity, while the GWCT is the UK’s leading wildlife research charity. Funds raised from this event will be split equally between the two organisations and invested into their vital and groundbreaking charitable schemes.

This outstanding sum could not have been achieved without the efforts and generosity of the sponsors, incredible raffle, auction lots and prize donations, and the support from everyone at Warter Priory Estate. Both the GWCT and The Soldiers’ Charity would like to extend their thanks to all who contributed to making the two days such a resounding success.

To learn more about the charities please visit www.gwct.org.uk for the GWCT and www.soldierscharity.org for The Soldiers’ Charity. For more information about GWCT events in Yorkshire please contact Sophie Dingwall at sdingwall@gwct.org.uk or on 07925 597676. Further details about The Soldiers’ Charity’s events can be found on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/abfne or by contacting the Catterick Garrison office on 01748 874127 or northeast@soldierscharity.org.

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Photocaption: Sir Ian Botham (right) was among the special guests at the charity clay shoot at Warter Priory in June. His son Liam (2nd right) won the top prize on the second day of the event. Photocredit: Josh Harrison Media.


Notes to editors

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.

For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk