A ONE-day charity shoot attended by local shooters and competitors from all over the South West on August 31, raised an amazing £1,470 for Devon Air Ambulance, at Crediton Gun Club.

The club, almost 50 years old, meets every fortnight through the summer at its ground at Folly Marsh, Uton on the edge of Crediton.

The money was handed over by club chairman, Bill Tucker, on Saturday, September 11, the last shoot of the season, to Devon Air Ambulance volunteer John Groves.

The red air ambulances have flown almost 30,500 missions. The appeal to raise money for an ambulance began in 1986, the helicopter flying its first mission in 1992, a second helicopter was based in North Devon in 2005.

Night flying began in 2016, two years later Devon Air Ambulance lifted its 100th patient during the hours of darkness and in 2019 the 100th community landing site went live.

Cheriton Bishop and Exbourne are among more than 30 sites still being developed. Most of the villages around Crediton already have a site, Crediton’s is at Lords Meadow on Crediton AFC ground.

DAA also has two critical care cars used when poor weather or essential maintenance prevents the aircraft from flying.

Sponsors for the charity day at Crediton Gun Club were Andrew Priddle of Pool ’n’ Spa Services, based on Peoples Park Road, and Peter Cole of the Peter Cole Partnership Investment Services based at South Zeal. Lee Dixon sponsored a trophy.

There were 183 entries for the shoot. Ian Moore of Okehampton won the High Gun Sporting and the Combined Trophy for Down The Line and Sporting. Dan Hudson won the Down the Line tieing with Roger Westaway.

Thanking the sponsors, committee and all who travelled for the shoot, Bill commented how clubs all over the country support local charities. “This shows the strength and willingness of the shooting world to recognise these charities need our help,” he said.

He added that shooting was not just a country sport. It supported the countryside and the people who work in it, brought awareness of good gun practice, safety and would teach people who had never shot a gun.

Any clays missed are collected from the fields afterwards. “This keeps our countryside as you would want to find it,” added Bill. Anyone who wants to know more is welcome. Check the club pages on Facebook.

Secretary is Sam Bolt, often helped by her daughter, Abbie. Treasurer is Neil Bishop of Smarter Accounting, Crediton.