Spalding Dinner raises £8,750 for the Countryside Alliance's Campaign for Shooting

A dinner in Spalding, South Lincolnshire, has raised important funds for the Countryside Alliance's Campaign for Shooting. The dinner, which took place at the beginning of October, was organised by Countryside Alliance members Richard Grundy and Christopher Longstaff, both of whom wanted to help the Campaign for Shooting's work in countering the attacks on shooting that are coming from so many directions, and in so many different forms.

The dinner was attended by 45 members of the Alliance / guests who enjoyed a four-course dinner, and this was followed by an auction of interesting and affordable auction lots. These included, amongst many others, days for single guns on local shoots, hospitality tickets for Leicester Tigers, a Goliath of Fox Denton's Sloe Gin, fishing on Rutland Water, and a full gun servicing. Along with a raffle, the prizes for which included vintage port, a magnum of champagne, and cartridges, and a number of very kind donations from members that were unable to attend, the evening made a fabulous £8,750 for the Alliance's Campaign for Shooting.

During the Dinner, those attending heard about the work of the Campaign for Shooting, and the many issues with which it is dealing on behalf of all those that shoot, providing a very useful opportunity for questions to be asked, and any concerns to be raised. Commenting afterwards, the organisers said that the evening had been thoroughly enjoyed by those that attended, all of whom had also found it of real interest. The Countryside Alliance is extremely grateful to Richard Grundy and Christopher Longstaff for organising such an enjoyable and valuable evening, and for raising such a tremendous amount for the Campaign for Shooting. It would be marvellous if other groups of guns and supporters around the country could organise similar events, and if anyone needs any information or help in doing so then they should not hesitate to contact [email protected].

Jim Barrington, on behalf of the Countryside Alliance, receives the cheque for £8,750 from Christopher Longstaff (left) and Richard Grundy (right).