Group raises over £8k for young woman

The group organised a clay shoot, sponsored by EJ Churchill, at Swinton Estate near Masham on Sunday May2 , to raise funds for the family of 10-year-old Lucie Maguire of Kirkby Malzeard.

Sue Maguire, Lucie’s mother said: “I’m very grateful for the support and all the kind wishes that everyone has sent.

“I’m so glad we live where we do. Lucie has been overwhelmed by so many people rallying round.”

The event included a 100 sporting competition, prize giving, a hog roast and an auction, hosted by Nidderdale Moorland Group

The funds will help to provide equipment for the family home to make it more accessible when Lucie leaves hospital.

Lucie spent five weeks in an induced coma and has had her right leg amputated, one of numerous operations over the past three months.

Her family remain by her side at Leeds General Infirmary.

Tracy Johnson of the Nidderdale Moorland Group said: “This is a close-knit community and we wanted to do anything we could to help Lucie and her family.

“The clay-shoot was a popular choice to raise some money and it was all outdoors, to abide by social distancing regulations.”

The Nidderdale Moorland Group (NMG) was created in 2016 by gamekeepers to help promote the positive environmental, conservation, economic and social benefits of the moorland management activities taking place on estates in the region.

Since its inception, NMG has aimed to tell the story of the shooting and gamekeeping community, through the people who are involved with it every day of their lives – gamekeepers, their families and businesses such as garages, butchers, restaurants, pubs and hotels who work closely with estates across Nidderdale.