21 May 2014

Sussex shooters aim high for charity fundraising

The 'Wivelsden Bandits' show off their prize for winning the clay shoot at the Glynde Estate, Sussex. (Left to right) David Fenner, team captain Nick Harvey, Rob Fry and Sean SmithVital funds for one of the UK's leading wildlife research charities were raised by a clay shoot in East Sussex this May.

The shoot at the Glynde Estate was organised by the Sussex committee of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). Twenty teams took part in the event on Friday 9 May, which was held by the kind permission of Viscount and Viscountess Hampden. The clay shoot raised approximately £6,000. The profits will go towards funding the groundbreaking scientific research of the GWCT, whose recent activities include the highly popular Big Farmland Bird Count and a research conference in London aimed at finding solutions to reverse wildlife decline in the UK.

Tom Bodley Scott, the chairman of the GWCT's Sussex committee, said, “It was fantastic to have a record turnout for this, our third Charity Clay Shoot. The Park at Glynde Place was a beautiful, albeit a rather blustery, setting for the shoot where the winning team in the '100 bird' flush hit a staggering 95!"

The shooting was won by the 'Wivelsden Bandits', a four-strong team who regularly shoot together and were led by captain Nick Harvey, the tenant farmer at the Glynde Estate. Their prize was a bottle of champagne each.

Following the clay shoot and a splendid hog roast lunch, the day also saw the draw of the Sussex GWCT's 'Fabulous Four' raffle, with the winning ticket kindly drawn by Lord Hampden. The lucky entrant was Kevin Hubbard of Haslemere in Surrey, who won the prize of a drive on four of the most outstanding shoots in Sussex - Goodwood, Cocking, Springhead and Angmering Park - this December.

Separate from the total raised by the clay day, the raffle brought in an astonishing £50,000, of which £40,000 will go to the GWCT. The remaining £10,000 will split between four Sussex charities, to be chosen by the owners of the four shoots. Tom Bodley Scott added, "What a great way to raise funds for such important charities.”

To learn more about GWCT events in Sussex please email sussex@gwct.org.uk. Forthcoming GWCT events and further information about the Trust can be found online at www.gwct.org.uk.

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Photocaption: The 'Wivelsden Bandits' show off their prize for winning the clay shoot at the Glynde Estate, Sussex. (Left to right) David Fenner, team captain Nick Harvey, Rob Fry and Sean Smith. 


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