A CUMBRIAN shooting syndicate has donated a sum of money to a local charity. 

Skiddaw Forest Shooting Syndicate had been hosting a two-day grouse shoot on an annual basis. 

In recent years the Land Owner put the shooting lodge up for sale and the syndicate has had to stop operating. 

They have since donated their money from their club's account to Great North Air Ambulance. 

Graham Wilson, a member of the syndicate, said: "For two days only each year the members of Skiddaw Forest Shooting Syndicate had the pleasure of meeting up at Dash Falls on the side of Skiddaw and Calver to take part in an annual event that had been enjoyed for over fifty years.

"Although extremely tough going, even for the athletes in the team, it was regarded as a great privilege to have the opportunity to bag a walked-up Red Grouse.

"In 2022 the land owner put the moor and (Skiddaw House) the old shooting lodge up for sale. This was a crushing blow to the syndicate.

"However, the syndicate agreed to the land owners request to stop grouse shooting the moor while the property was on the market.

"To date, unfortunately, even though the property remains unsold, the land owner has opposed all requests for a resumption shooting on the moor. The End of an Era. 

"The decision was taken to close the syndicate building society account and donate the money to the Great North Air Ambulance Service."

The group handed over a cheque of £1200 to the charity.