One of the UK’s biggest charity clay shoots could be cancelled for the first time in its 18-year history unless more teams sign up in the coming days.
The Barden Clay Shoot, held each year near Leyburn in North Yorkshire, has raised over £277,000 for life-changing charities since it began. The event is run by the Birch family and a dedicated committee as a thank you to the organisations that have supported their daughter Molly, who has cerebral palsy.
Over the past five years, funds raised have gone to Support Dogs, a national charity that trains and provides assistance dogs to help autistic children and adults with epilepsy or physical disabilities.
Molly, now 17, benefits daily from her assistance dog, Chess — a specially trained Labrador from Support Dogs. Chess helps Molly with tasks that would otherwise be impossible, such as picking up dropped items, opening doors, and fetching help if she falls. Molly, who attends St John’s School in Boston Spa, is now an active member of the shoot’s organising committee.
Despite tireless planning by the family and volunteers, only 31 teams are currently signed up for this year’s shoot — far short of the 50 needed to break even, or the 75 that would make the event the success it has been in previous years.
The committee is now making an eleventh-hour plea for support from local shooting enthusiasts, businesses, and community groups to ensure the shoot goes ahead and continues to raise vital funds for Support Dogs and families like the Birches.
This year’s shoot is scheduled for Sunday 6 July. Teams of four can take part for £500, providing their own cartridges, or for £800 with cartridges included. Each team will shoot 500 clays across the stands.
Alongside the main event, participants can enjoy a pool shoot, an archery ‘have a go’ session and competition, plus plenty of food, drinks, fundraising games, a raffle and a tombola. Cash prizes are up for grabs for the top three teams, as well as for the highest-placed ladies’ team.
All shooters must hold a valid shotgun certificate and be over 16.
Organisers will meet on Monday 16 June to decide whether the shoot can go ahead based on the final number of entries.
Anyone interested in entering a team is urged to sign up as soon as possible at www.bardenclayshoot.co.uk. For more information, email [email protected].
To find out more about Support Dogs and the difference their trained assistance dogs make, visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 261 7800.
