Now celebrating its third year, Northern Big Shots looks set once again to raise more than £17,000 in aid of the furnishing industry’s charity, the Furniture Makers’ Company.
This year a record 19 teams took part in the now-established northern fundraiser for the charity’s North-west region fundraising group, and has been spearheaded for the past three years by Karen Fairhurst of Panaz (textiles) of Burnley.
“Northern Big Shots is now established as a focal point for the furniture industry in the north to network and as a significant fundraiser for our industry’s charity, which supports new talent coming into our industry through its education programmes and helps those in need when times are tough,” says Karen. “We are immensely grateful to Victor Giannandrea, who makes it all happen and to all those who support us – sponsors, participants and helpers alike.”
Companies used the event, which took place on 21st April, to entertain customers or reward staff with a day away from the stresses and strains of business, with teams from B&Q, Bensons for Beds, Breasley, DFS, Furniture Village, Howdens, Kaymed, Peroda, Panaz, Sleepeezee, Silentnight Group, Snuggledown, Steinhoff and Sweet Dreams, amongst others.
For many, it was their first attempt at clay pigeon shooting, but everyone enjoyed at least a few hits, thanks to the tuition of Coniston Country Estate’s instructors.
The organiser is also grateful to the many sponsors which ensured the event was a successful fundraiser, either with direct sponsorship or a range of gifts for the auction and raffle – AKA PR, Bensons for Beds, Bentley Motors, B&Q, Mike Clare, Coniston Hotel & Country Estate, Coniston Shooting Club, DFS, Feather & Black, Furniture Village, Harrison Spinks, Jaybe, John Cotton, Landrover, Millbrook, Panaz, Peroda, Silentnight Group, Steinhoff, Sweet Dreams, Taylors Solicitors and Whyte & Ivory.
This year the Top Team prize went to new participant Howdens. Former DFS boss Jon Massey scooped the Top Male Gun prize, while Top Female Gun this year went to Emma Holbern, from the Snuggledown/John Cotton team.
Richard Naylor from Steinhoff Beds UK won Best Male Novice, while the Best Female Novice was Leanne Kirtley, features editor at Cabinet Maker magazine. The Intermediate Shot Prize
went to Lincoln Gissing from the Howdens team, while Charelle Humble from Linthorpe Beds, guest of Sleepeezee, was given an ‘A’ for effort on her first outing!
The North-west region fundraising team is now turning its attention to the next event in its calendar, the Northern Golf Day at Preston Golf Club on Wednesday 20th July. The 2017 Northern Big Shots will take place on Thursday 20th April.
There is also the national Big Shots event on Thursday 9th June 2016 at EJ Churchill Shooting Ground in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. For more information please contact [email protected].
