End of an era for Sperrin Gun Club as it donates its assets to local charities following closure

A County Derry gun club has donated all of its assets to four local charities following its closure.

Due to various circumstances, the members of Sperrin Gun Club recently decided to dissolve the organisation and dispose of its current assets.

It was decided that money raised from this disposal, along with any funds in the club’s bank account, should be divided among four charities and organisations selected by the members.

The organisations chosen to benefit are Granaghan and District Women’s Group (£1,000) and Open Doors Club (£1,000), both in Swatragh.

ABOVE: Roisin Turner (Treasurer of Granaghan & District Women's Group, Swatragh), delighted to receive a cheque for £1000.00 from Sperrin Gun Club. The money will be used by GDWG to continue to fund a wide variety of activities for their local community.

The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust was also awarded £1,000 while NI Air Ambulance was presented with £1,524.48.

Cheques were presented to the four groups at an event held in Swatragh last Wednesday evening.

ABOVE: Members of the Open Doors Club, Swatragh, receiving their cheque for £1000.00 from The Sperrin Gun Club on Wednesday past.

Sperrin Gun Club was formed almost 50 years ago as a club to promote and develop the sport of clay pigeon shooting in a safe and structured way.

People from the surrounding communities that were interested in the sport of clay pigeon shooting could develop their skills and take part in various competitions.

The club also provided a place where members and non-members could meet and socialise over the years.

ABOVE: Presentation of cheque for £1524.48 to a grateful representative from NI Air Ambulance.

A spokesperson for Sperrin Gun Club said: “Over the years many members excelled at the sport of clay pigeon shooting and went on to represent The Irish Clay Target Shooting Association (UCPSA) at clay pigeon shooting competitions at international level. Individual members also won some of the most prestigious trophies in DTL clay pigeon shooting, including the British Open Championship and the Irish Gold Cup to name a few. We also had a member who would go and become a world champion piper.

ABOVE: The presentation of another £1000.00 to a representative from The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

“We were first and foremost a community-based club and while we are sad to be closing as a club, we are happy to be able to put the money from the club’s disposal back into the community through these charities and organisations.

“The Sperrin Gun Club would like to thank all the members, present and past, some who are sadly no longer with us, for all their help and support throughout the years.

“We would especially like to thank the people who took official positions in the club such as chairman, secretary, etc. These are the people that do all the unseen tasks without which no club could function or survive.”