The Birdshot Uveitis Charity celebrated another incredibly successful shooting event at the Royal Berkshire Shooting School! Thanks to our sponsor, John F Hunt, for their unwavering support.
We’re thrilled to announce that we raised a phenomenal £70,000 for Birdshot research, a rare and potentially blinding eye disease. Birdshot Uveitis gets its name from the white marks that develop on the retina, which appear as black spots in the field of vision, resembling the pattern created by lead pellets from a shotgun hitting a target.
The day began with a hearty breakfast featuring bacon and sausage butties, setting the tone for camaraderie and competition. Following a safety briefing by Dylan Williams, participants enjoyed glorious weather, making the experience even more enjoyable. A short snack break in the Hutton Valley provided a welcome respite, and after all the teams completed their shooting rounds, champagne was served in the beautiful garden just outside the lodge.
A divine four-course lunch was served, during which attendees played ‘heads and tails’ to win a morning shooting at the RBSS for 4 guns. Following the ‘sweep’ in the valley, to guess the total number of points scored during the morning shooting, Steve Revell of Maleon emerged victorious, winning a magnum of champagne. The speeches underscored the importance of our collective fundraising efforts at the event. John Hall, Chairman of John F Hunt, delivered a moving speech reflecting on the impact of our contributions to Birdshot research. Our esteemed guest speaker, Harry Petrushkin, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital, provided invaluable insights into the latest advancements and the critical need for continued support.
Annie Folkard, the founder of Birdshot Uveitis Society, graced the occasion and presented the prizes. Congratulations to Paul Poulter of Hitachi Hotshots for winning Top Gun with an impressive score of 92 points, taking home an engraved cut glass decanter! Kudos to Becky Bone of Charles Wilson Gunslingers for being our top lady with 52 points, earning an engraved champagne glass. A big shoutout to the Barr Humbugs team members – John Eaglesham, Jonathan Allwood, Adrian Wilson, and Toby Badcock – for scoring 350 points and securing the Glorious Twelfth prize, each winning engraved cut glass whiskey tumblers.
The auction featured a variety of generously donated items, including a superb JCB ride-on toy tractor, a shooting lesson with Dylan Williams, Fortnum & Mason hampers, a night at Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons Hotel, a long weekend for two in Sorrento on Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast, a Nobu private dining experience, and a luxury villa within the grounds of the Four Seasons Resort in Egypt, amongst others.
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this worthy cause. Together, we are making a difference! We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2025 Birdshot Charity Shoot Day. Keep an eye out for the dates, as we will announce them soon.