THE Borders branch of an armed forces charity has raised a record £6,000 for the important cause.

Twenty-one teams took part in a clay shooting event at Bisley at Braidwood, Selkirk last month in aid of the Borders branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

The event, which was organised by the branch, welcomed guns of all abilities to take part in the fun day.

Lieutenant General (Ret’d) John Cooper, who joined the event, said: “This was another fantastic clays competition organised by Borders SSAFA and supported so well by Bisley at Braidwood. The organisation was superb, the competition was sharp but good-humoured and some really good shots produced some outstanding scores.

“As a King's Own Scottish Borderer, it made me proud so see the Scottish Borders doing so much for such a good cause as SSAFA.

"Thanks go to everyone involved for raising £6,000."

At the event organised by SSAFA Borders branch in 2022 there were only six teams which participated, and the event raised £3,000 for the charity.

Chairman of SSAFA Borders branch Adrian Lucas DL thanked the teams and those who contributed to the event.

He said: “This is the second year SSAFA Borders has staged a clay shoot at Bisley near Selkirk, and while the event has raised a tremendous amount of money for the veterans that we serve, of equal importance is that it has spread the word of what we do.

“For example, last year one of the teams 'adopted' SSAFA as its chosen charity. For such an influential and well-connected group to do so is a major influential factor for our branch.

“But none of this would have been possible without the hard work and alacrity of our awareness team, Major John Currie and volunteer Jane Dickson.

"So, a huge thank you to them and the contribution of Bisley, the teams, all those who contributed to a wonderful day for a fantastic charity."

For more information – including how to volunteer or fundraise for SSAFA, or how to access support – visit ssafa.org.uk/borders.