A clay shoot day in Kent has raised nearly £80,000 to be split between two charities: Demelza Hospice Care for Children, and leading wildlife conservation research charity the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).
The event took place on Thursday 19 May at the Detling Shoot near Maidstone, in a beautiful valley with bluebell woods that was fortunately blessed with a rare sunny afternoon. Eighteen teams shot four simulated driven bird stands (partridge, pheasant, high pheasant and rabbit), with the prize of a magnum of champagne each being won by the Kent Tractors team.
The afternoon shoot was followed by a champagne reception and a lamb and hog roast for the teams and other guests, and an auction expertly run by Rhodri Thomas of headline sponsor Strutt & Parker. Lots included vintage wines, fishing on the Tweed and a villa in Umbria. The auction raised £43,000, with the event as a whole making over £79,000. This sum will be split equally between the two charities, with the GWCT figure going towards funding its vital and cutting-edge research dedicated to conserving British wildlife and countryside for future generations. Demelza Hospice Care is dedicated to supporting babies, children and young people with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions.
Edward Church of Strutt & Parker said, "We are delighted to be part of such a professionally run event. All the teams have had a spectacular day’s shooting. We are particularly happy to support two such worthwhile charities: Demelza for their work with life limited children and their families and GWCT for the scientific research they carry out caring for the countryside.”
The GWCT would like to thank Strutt & Parker and the other sponsors: Boodles and MB Farms - who provided the champagne and the roast respectively - Country Way Gun Shop, Chris Potter Country Sports, Shepherd Neame, Geoffrey Neame, Best In Tents, Hallet & Co, staff from Chevening Shoot, as well as the Detling Shoot hosts Ian and Sarah Kemsley.
For further information about GWCT events in Kent please contact Lizzie Herring on 07885 897647 or by email at lherring@gwct.org.uk. Learn more about the GWCT online at www.gwct.org.uk and Demelza Hospice Care for Children at www.demelza.org.uk.
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Photocaption: GWCT Trustee Anthony Hamilton was one of the competitors at the Detling clay shoot, which has raised nearly £80,000 for the GWCT and Demelza Hospice Care for Children. Photocredit: Photography by helentinner.com.
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