We are well into the final month of the year; Christmas is fast approaching and the 2019/20 shooting season is already over halfway – which is unfortunate to say the least.

However, those of us who have the privilege of going shooting for the day, and all of us who enjoy a warm, close-knit Christmas full of happiness can count ourselves very lucky; as not everybody is so fortunate.

We thought we would take the opportunity in our December blog to highlight two industry charities that we are proud to support at Keepers Choice, who work to help those not as fortunate – whether through helping to feed those in need, or help those struggling with mental health problems.

The Country Food Trust

The Country Food Trust (CFT) are a charity food producer making high quality, protein rich food that it donates to charities who need to feed people. Almost all of the meat used in these meals is British game that has come from shoots across the country. The charity is funded by individuals, companies, shoots, trusts and other charitable organisations – and Keepers Choice are very happy to be listed as a Key Supporter of the charity.

The CFT have recently announced that it has provided over 450,000 meals to date since inception. One of the earliest aims of the charity was to provide one million meals in its first five years – a target that it is on track to meet! To date the charity has supplied over 450,000 meals, has used 420,000 Kgs of meat and supported a fantastic 1,042 charities.

The charity has just launched its ‘Winter Appeal’ in which it will look to repeat the success of last years’ campaign and raise £100,000 to feed people in need this winter.

As the charity say on their campaign page, “Crisp winter days in front of a fire contrast bleakly to cold nights on the street and we hope that everyone looking forward to Christmas will consider donating to this campaign”. It really is a case of ‘every little helps’. So, if you are able to, please donate to an excellent cause this Christmas by donating to The CFT Winter Appeal.

To donate, please click HERE.

The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust

The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust (GWT) exists to support gamekeepers, stalkers and ghillies, and their dependents past and present. We are very proud to support this excellent charity and their logo is now visible on our feed bags along with other industry organisations.

GWT provides financial grants for gamekeepers, stalkers and ghillies and their families in times of hardship, ill health and retirement. Small grants are available for young people making gamekeeping their career. The helpline is a key part of the service providing a confidential listening service with information and support on a wide variety of issues including health, retirement, redundancy, housing and employment issues.

In 2020, the GWT is launching its ‘Year of the Gamekeeper’ initiative. This is a multi-organisational initiative which looks to raise the profile of gamekeepers and celebrate their unique position as custodians of the countryside – the initiative will also help sustain the long-term future of the GWT.

The initiative seeks to raise £220,000 by the end of 2020, through empowering every gamekeeper and member of the shooting community to do one thing in 2020 to raise funds for the GWT… This could be hosting an event or simply donating.

We will continue to show our support for this vitally important charity, if you would like to do the same, follow the link below to their JustGiving page a donate towards ‘The Year of the Gamekeeper’.

DONATE HERE

Keepers Choice

We would like to take this opportunity to give some information regarding Christmas and New Year deliveries –

We will close for Christmas at 4pm on Tuesday 24^th December and re-open at 830am on Friday 27^th

For New Year, we will close at 4pm on Tuesday 31^st December and re-open at 8.30am on Thursday 2^nd

Please order all pre-Christmas deliveries by Friday 13^th December

For deliveries on Friday 27^th, Monday 30^th and Tuesday 31^st December, please order by Friday 20^th December.

For deliveries on, or shortly after Thursday 2^nd January, please order by Monday 23^rd.

We would be grateful if ALL orders could have two or more days delivery option to help with production and transport planning at this very busy time.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers for making 2019 another successful year at Keepers Choice, and by wishing each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!