Clay pigeon shoot pubs raise £4,250 for Air Ambulance

By M2S_Media | Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 19:21

A record-breaking £4,250 has been raised for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) from an annual inter-pubs clay pigeon shoot in Dorset.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance pilot Max Hoskins (in sunglasses) collects a cheque from inter-pubs clay pigeon shoot organisers Keith Roser (left) and Tony Foot, watched by DSAA volunteers Richard Robbins and Wendy Burke.
Clay pigeon shooters and sponsors who raised £4,250 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance are pictured outside the Royal Oak Pub, Okeford Fitzpaine.

The shoot is a competition held every June between six pubs in the county -The Bull and The Swan, in Sturminster Newton, The White Horse, in Stourpaine, The Bakers Arms, in Child Okeford, The White Horse, in Hinton St. Mary, and the Royal Oak, in Okeford Fitzpaine, which also hosted the event this year.

DSAA pilot Max Hoskins was among those taking part in the shoot, which was held at the Purbeck shooting school ground, near Wareham, with everybody returning afterwards to the Royal Oak for refreshments, a raffle, and an auction.

Prizes, which were all donated, included a day’s shooting at the exclusive Iwerne Minster shoot, two hot air balloon flights for two people given by Steve Vining, a gallon of whisky, and a ‘rough walk day’ at Chris Rowes’ farm in Bridport.

Taxi transport for the day was sponsored by Bob Smith and the cost of hiring a coach was met by RSM Tenon, who were among many supporters of the event.

DSAA volunteers Wendy Burke and Richard Robbins together with Max Hoskins received a cheque from Keith Roser and Tony Foot, who were the main organisers of the event.

Wendy said: “This is when being an Air Ambulance volunteer is at its most rewarding.

“We all had a brilliant day and the shoot raised enough money for our life-saving helicopter to fly for more than 24 hours.”

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and has attended more than 7,000 missions since its launch in March, 2000, many of which were life-saving.

Without any funding from the Government or the National Lottery, the Charity has to raise the £3,800 per day cost of keeping its helicopter flying.

More information about the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance can be found by visiting www.dorsetandsomersetairambulance.org.uk or by emailing info@dorsetandsomersetairambulance.org.uk or calling 01823 669604.