A sweepstake is a simple, effective and fun way of raising money during the shooting season to support the work of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. The sweepstake can be run on the day’s bag, the number of species or the number of empty cases. Some shoots prefer a system of fines for shooting white pheasants, shooting before the whistle or for the dirtiest pair of boots.
The basic premise of a sweepstake is that all those shooting are asked to guess how many head will be shot on payment of any amount from £1 upwards (usually more to make it worthwhile winning!). We suggest that at the end of the day, half the takings are given to the person nearest to the correct number and the remainder to the Trust.
Where the Trust might differ from other schemes is on the supporting literature and the ancillary items that we supply to help you run a successful sweepstake. Individuals can select what they want from a variety of options such as fantastic shoot cards illustrated by Owen Williams, a money collection tube and cartridge refuse bags, as well as helpful literature including the Code of Good Shooting Practice.
The cards have been specially rebranded with our Scotland logo and colours and all these items are free of charge to members of the sweepstake scheme. Should you require further order forms for these items please contact Scottish HQ on 0131 202 7670.
In 2024, we updated our offering for sweepstake participants after agreeing a partnership with Eight Lands Sloe Gin and Hull Cartridges. All shoots that enter the sweepstake scheme will receive a free bottle of Eight Lands Gin and after submitting the monies raised during the season the Trust will reward the contributor with another bottle of Eight Lands Sloe Gin per £200 raised.
We are able to deliver cases in multiples of 6 or 12 by courier, however due to the impracticalities of mailing individual bottles or part cases, we write to those contributors a few weeks before the Scottish Game Fair at Scone inviting them or a representative to collect from the GWCT Stand.
Another benefit to those that contribute is that they will be entered into a raffle at the end of the season to win a jerry can mini bar and a slab of cartridges, courtesy of Hull Cartridges.
At the end of the season please send your monies by cheque, made payable to the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust to Rory Donaldson at GWCT Scottish HQ, Hopetoun Estate Office, Home Farm, Hopetoun, EH30 9SL or contact Rory via rdonaldson@gwct.org.uk and he will be able to provide you with bank details to make a direct transfer. Don't forget to include the shoot name and contact details with your payment. On receipt of your cheque, we will send a letter of thanks acknowledging the donation and provide a certificate to display in your shoot room.