Holt’s Auctioneers donate over £20,000 to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust

Holt’s Auctioneers helped raise £20,187 at their 12th annual charity clay shoot, held at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, by kind permission of Her Majesty The Queen. The popular event, which was sponsored by gunmaker William Evans, saw 35 teams of four Guns attend, shooting five simulated game drives throughout the day. After a three-course lunch, an auction of money-can’t-buy Lots took place, with an exclusive factory tour of Holland & Holland fetching an impressive £1,000.

The proceeds will be donated to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), a charity which helps fund talented craftspeople, including gunmakers, engravers and leathermakers. Nicholas Holt, founder of Holt’s Auctioneers was delighted to have raised so much money for such a worthy cause. He commented: “Every year I am equal parts shocked and thrilled that we manage to raise such a considerable sum of money for charity. It was made extra special this year that we were raising money for QEST, of which Her Majesty The Queen is patron of. I do not doubt that the money will be put to good use and go on to support craftsmanship across the country.”

Nick Farrow, chairman of QEST added: “We are extremely grateful that QEST was the beneficiary of this year’s fundraising event. The crafts industry contributed £4 billion to the economy last year and the charity plays a vital role in nurturing and nourishing Britain’s cultural heritage by promoting excellence, opportunity and creativity across more than 130 different craft skills. Participating in the shoot at Sandringham was a great privilege. It was an excellent day and brilliant that the charity will be supported by the money raised.” To view all the photographs from the day, visit www.holtsauctioneers.com.