GWCT winner takes it all!

Land managed for gamebirds creates conditions that benefit other wildlife, but the breeding rates for released pheasants is just 14% of their wild cousins.  The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust aims to learn more about the factors that contribute to this poor performance and what they can do to improve it through their important research work. To help build an accurate picture of the conditions that affect the breeding success of released hens, the GWCT recently held a Released Pheasant Appeal Raffle. The raffle raised a massive £20,211 towards its research.

Tickets to enter this exciting raffle were just £1 each and attracted interest from enthusiasts all over the country.  The winners were as follows:

• 1st prize of £2,500  - to Mr S C Goodworth, from Stansted - ticket number 228737
• 2nd prize of £1,000 -  Mr J N Gilbey, from London - ticket number 455296
• 3a prize of £750 - Mr S B Jeffreys, from Tunbridge Wells - ticket number 453029
• 3b prize of £750 -  Mr T Keating, from Salisbury - ticket number 408006

The winning ticket was picked out by Mrs Teresa Dent, Chief Executive of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust who said, “We are hugely grateful to all those that participated in the raffle. The proceeds will greatly benefit our very important released pheasant programme.”

END

Photocaption:   The GWCT raffle was drawn by Dr Nick Sotherton, Director of Research, Mrs Teresa Dent, Chief Executive, both from the GWCT and Jemima Edmonds representing the Trust’s Auditors.

Notes to editors

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is an independent wildlife conservation charity which carries out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats and we lobby for agricultural and conservation policies based on science. We employ 14 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming 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
Morag Walker, Head of Media
Telephone: 01425-652381
Direct:  01425-651000
Mobile: 07736-124097