Duke of Westminster raises £17,600 for the ABF The Soldiers' Charity

A RECORD £17,600 was raised for charity at the fourth Breitling at Banks Lyon Abbeystead Clay Pigeon Shoot. Over 200 guests took part at Duke of Westminster's estate near Lancaster on Saturday, May 21, 2011.

The event took place with the kind permission of The Duke of Westminster. Teams of four travelled from across the North to compete for the chance to win a host of prizes including £15,000 worth of Breitling watches.

The highest scoring team was the Preston-based Milkshakers – Jonathan Simpson, Nicola Pattison, Peter Halshaw and Matthew Marsden. Nicola also won a rare Breitling leather flying jacket as of our two top scoring ladies.

Lancashire men James Ainscough, Michael Fort, Simon Coakley and Brent Forbes won four stunning Breitling Superocean watches.

The day finished up with an auction that raised an impressive £17,600 for the ABF The Soldiers' Charity. Guests were bidding to win lots that included luxury holidays, helicopter flights and diamond jellery.

Rodney Banks-Lyon, of Banks Lyon Jewellers of Lancaster, said: "This was our fourth such event and the biggest and best yet.

"Without exception everyone had a fantastic day and we are thrilled to have raised so much for the Soldiers' Charity, which is a truly wonderful cause.

"Our thanks must go to His Grace, for allowing us to use his beautiful estate, and all those who gave so generously on the day – whether it be the volunteers, those who donated some beautiful auction prizes, or our guests who gave so generously. The standard of shooting on the day was excellent and it was our pleasure to welcome many new faces who we hope to see again."

Lt. Col. Philip Aindow, North West Regional Director of ABF – The Soldiers' Charity, said: "As a charity we have seen the number of applications for support rise by 30 per cent over the past two years and by 2015 we will need to double our income to £14 million.

"All of that money comes from public donations and we're very grateful for events such as the Breitling at Banks Lyon Abbeystead Clay Pigeon Shoot, which was not only a splendid day out but raised a lot of money."