Shooting and countryside organisations came together at the Game Fair to officially launch 2020 Year of the Gamekeeper – an initiative to support, raise the profile and ensure the future of the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust (GWT).
The multi-organisation initiative seeks to raise £220,000 by the end of next year, through empowering every gamekeeper and member of the shooting community to do one thing in 2020 to raise funds for the GWT.
Speaking at the launch at the Gun Trade Lounge, Eoghan Cameron, BASC chairman, said it was an “absolute privilege” to introduce the “excellent” initiative.
The GWT charity supports gamekeepers, ghillies and stalkers, and their families, in times of hardship and strife as well as helping young people access college courses and future employment.
Sir John Scott Bt, President of the trust, explained: “The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust currently enables us to look after around 600 gamekeepers and their families annually, but with cut-backs in the NHS and social services, we anticipate this figure to rise.
“We hope that the Year of the Gamekeeper will be both a celebration of gamekeeping and provide a sustainable future for the trust, allowing us to continue our vital work and address the ever-increasing challenges which face our industry.”
Helen Benson, CEO of the GWT, said: “We are really excited about this initiative and grateful to BASC for their support and indeed anyone who kindly wishes to support us. We look forward to ‘The Year of the Gamekeeper 2020’ with great optimism and knowing that together we are stronger.”
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