Local lad Posted February 10 Report Share Posted February 10 (edited) Greetings Shooting Enthusiasts and Community Supporters, We're issuing an urgent call to arms – or, more precisely, to pockets – to rejuvenate our beloved Forres shooting club! Since 1913, our historic club has stood the test of time, but a recent snowfall proved too much for our aging roof, prompting the need for a serious makeover. Nestled in the picturesque Scottish Highlands, our small bore club has been a haven for marksmanship enthusiasts in 10m air pistol, 10m air rifle, and 25-yard .22 RF. since the early 1900s. Our journey began as part of a movement led by Field Marshal Lord Roberts to enhance marksmanship following the Boer War. We've undergone transformations, housed POWs, and now it's time to embrace the future with a purpose-built clubhouse. The recent roof collapse has highlighted the age of our building. Maintaining a warm and functional space has become a costly and constant battle. Your generosity is crucial – we're seeking funds not just for repairs but to create an inclusive space for all. The aging building struggles to attract young shooters and poses access challenges for disabled members. Our vision includes a state-of-the-art shooting range meeting modern standards and accommodating young and disabled shooters. We're all about inclusivity and fostering a love for shooting in a safe environment. Electronic targets are on our wish list – £3,000 each may seem hefty, but these cutting-edge targets are the future, especially for the younger generation. We take pride in our achievements, with younger members participating in international events, including the Australian Common Wealth Games, and one voted Scottish Junior Sportsman of the Year in 2017. Despite being a small club, we've always punched above our weight. Your contributions, big or small, will not only help us enhance our facilities but also preserve local history, promote sportsmanship, and ensure the club's legacy for generations to come. Thank you for considering our appeal and being a vital part of this exciting journey! Warm regards, Club Secretary https://www.gofundme.com/f/forres-smallbore-rifle-and-pistol-club Please share on Facebook to spread the word. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556011763668&sfnsn=scwspwa Edited February 10 by Local lad Updated with Facebook link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted February 10 Report Share Posted February 10 @Conor O'Gorman Maybe BASC can help at grass roots level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Local lad Posted February 10 Author Report Share Posted February 10 Many thanks. Tried a number of bodies who have sent me internet sites to try but seem to be just going round in circles. Will keep plodding on, thanks for the advise. See getting people into air rifles as a first step into shooting, then up to them which discipline they follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarecrow243 Posted February 10 Report Share Posted February 10 have you tried the national lottery as they give grants to help ham radio clubs etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted February 10 Report Share Posted February 10 9 minutes ago, scarecrow243 said: have you tried the national lottery as they give grants to help ham radio clubs etc Shooting related donations from the lottery Your avin a Laaarrrfff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Local lad Posted February 10 Author Report Share Posted February 10 30 minutes ago, Dougy said: Shooting related donations from the lottery Your avin a Laaarrrfff No Scarecrow243 has a very good point and have tried them as they do assist shooting clubs. Tried some months back and they did reply and now need to pull the paper trail together. Have tried a large number of sites but seem to keep hitting barriers hence reaching out to the public and fellow shooters. May try Donald Trump next!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor O'Gorman Posted February 10 Report Share Posted February 10 3 hours ago, jall25 said: @Conor O'Gorman Maybe BASC can help at grass roots level Thanks, I will raise it with colleagues next week. @Local lad I think the heritage lottery fund would be worth looking into again - given as you have outlined the heritage value of the building and the community use of it. It is a lot of paperwork before and after - having done one myself to fund forest school sessions for local schools in my area - but if its for a big sum like you describe the it is well worth it - you would just need to spread the workload and get some volunteers to deal exclusively with that (no easy task I know getting volunteers!) The shooting press may also be interested in sharing your funding appeal. Also local press as a starting point - local people more likely to support than those further afield. There may be Scottish specific funding pots also worth looking into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Local lad Posted February 11 Author Report Share Posted February 11 (edited) 21 hours ago, Conor O'Gorman said: Thanks, I will raise it with colleagues next week. @Local lad I think the heritage lottery fund would be worth looking into again - given as you have outlined the heritage value of the building and the community use of it. It is a lot of paperwork before and after - having done one myself to fund forest school sessions for local schools in my area - but if its for a big sum like you describe the it is well worth it - you would just need to spread the workload and get some volunteers to deal exclusively with that (no easy task I know getting volunteers!) The shooting press may also be interested in sharing your funding appeal. Also local press as a starting point - local people more likely to support than those further afield. There may be Scottish specific funding pots also worth looking into. Good morning, many thanks for the kind words of advise. At present there is only a couple of us working on this and agree we will need to get more members involved. Up until recently we have never delved into the use of social media as a tool to source funding but have now jumped in with both feet. We have never had a Facebook page or looked a sites like GOFUNDME but learning fast. After highlighting our cause yesterday on here, we received our first donation of £20 overnight which may not sound much to many but it is very much appreciated. Edited February 11 by Local lad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor O'Gorman Posted February 11 Report Share Posted February 11 9 hours ago, Local lad said: Good morning, many thanks for the kind words of advise. At present there is only a couple of us working on this and agree we will need to get more members involved. Up until recently we have never delved into the use of social media as a tool to source funding but have now jumped in with both feet. We have never had a Facebook page or looked a sites like GOFUNDME but learning fast. After highlighting our cause yesterday on here, we received our first donation of £20 overnight which may not sound much to many but it is very much appreciated. That's great you are getting a profile online - and as a volunteer on two local community groups I can relate! My other thought is that a website would be most helpful, especially for your fundraising. Wordpress is a good option and keep it really simple. You have a great story to tell so maybe contact local journalists about that. Local press will really help. Anyway email me at conor.ogorman@basc.org.uk and happy to have a chat and compare notes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Local lad Posted February 20 Author Report Share Posted February 20 (edited) On 11/02/2024 at 20:22, Conor O'Gorman said: That's great you are getting a profile online - and as a volunteer on two local community groups I can relate! My other thought is that a website would be most helpful, especially for your fundraising. Wordpress is a good option and keep it really simple. You have a great story to tell so maybe contact local journalists about that. Local press will really help. Anyway email me at conor.ogorman@basc.org.uk and happy to have a chat and compare notes. Again many thanks for the offer of assistance will try and get an email off to you this week with a few questions. Been monitoring this page and as I expected had a large number of hits when I first posted this and as time has passed the frequency of hits is dropping, which I expect is the norm. Just wish hits amounted to money.Such is life!! GOFUNDME now at £80 but suspect from "Bank of mum and dad" thanks kids!! Kids ran the GOFUNDME narrative through AI and it came up with this:- Hey there, sharpshooters and potential benefactors! Our century-old shooting club in Forres is on life support – our building, that is. It's so ancient; it once housed POWs, and its roof collapses more often than my weekend plans. We're not just any club; we're the "Forres Smallbore Rifle and Pistol Club" – because we like to cover all bases. Sadly, our building doesn't cover much anymore. To keep the nostalgia alive (and our shooters warm), we're seeking funds. Our goal? A spanking new clubhouse that doesn't double as a historical relic. The current one is more "Grandpa's attic" than "state-of-the-art shooting range." The place is so old, we still use paper targets. Yep, you heard right, paper – not even the cool kind you can fold into airplanes. We're dreaming of electronic targets that calculate shots faster than you can say "bullseye" – though they cost a pretty penny at £3,000 each. Ouch, indeed. But these gadgets are a hit with the youth – you know, the ones who think smartphones are ancient. With your help, we'll lure them in, along with any disabled shooters who fancy a high-tech game of target practice. We're not just about shooting things; we've got members competing internationally. One even bagged the title of Scottish Junior sportsman of the year. No big deal, just another day at the range. So, if you've got a soft spot for camaraderie, group therapy, and ensuring our club survives another century, any donation – big or small – is like a bullseye for us. Help us trade paper for pixels, and let's bring Forres Smallbore into the 21st century! Thanks for aiming this far. LOL Edited February 20 by Local lad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor O'Gorman Posted February 23 Report Share Posted February 23 On 20/02/2024 at 14:54, Local lad said: Again many thanks for the offer of assistance will try and get an email off to you this week with a few questions. Been monitoring this page and as I expected had a large number of hits when I first posted this and as time has passed the frequency of hits is dropping, which I expect is the norm. Just wish hits amounted to money.Such is life!! GOFUNDME now at £80 but suspect from "Bank of mum and dad" thanks kids!! Kids ran the GOFUNDME narrative through AI and it came up with this:- Hey there, sharpshooters and potential benefactors! Our century-old shooting club in Forres is on life support – our building, that is. It's so ancient; it once housed POWs, and its roof collapses more often than my weekend plans. We're not just any club; we're the "Forres Smallbore Rifle and Pistol Club" – because we like to cover all bases. Sadly, our building doesn't cover much anymore. To keep the nostalgia alive (and our shooters warm), we're seeking funds. Our goal? A spanking new clubhouse that doesn't double as a historical relic. The current one is more "Grandpa's attic" than "state-of-the-art shooting range." The place is so old, we still use paper targets. Yep, you heard right, paper – not even the cool kind you can fold into airplanes. We're dreaming of electronic targets that calculate shots faster than you can say "bullseye" – though they cost a pretty penny at £3,000 each. Ouch, indeed. But these gadgets are a hit with the youth – you know, the ones who think smartphones are ancient. With your help, we'll lure them in, along with any disabled shooters who fancy a high-tech game of target practice. We're not just about shooting things; we've got members competing internationally. One even bagged the title of Scottish Junior sportsman of the year. No big deal, just another day at the range. So, if you've got a soft spot for camaraderie, group therapy, and ensuring our club survives another century, any donation – big or small – is like a bullseye for us. Help us trade paper for pixels, and let's bring Forres Smallbore into the 21st century! Thanks for aiming this far. LOL That AI generated text is very engaging! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Local lad Posted February 25 Author Report Share Posted February 25 (edited) Good day all. Firstly may I thank the 766 people that have taken the time to review my letter regarding seeking financial help to improve facilities at our club. I just wish that the 766 hits could be magically converted to £££££££. Fully appreciate times are hard other wise I wouldn't need to keep banging my drum. If you cant give financially, please can you use what ever means you can to spread the word and pass on our GOFUNDME and Facebook links. Any fund raising advise also welcome, with the exception of bank robbery. I know a lot of you still have the first air gun you used tucked away in a locked cupboard (I have, BSA Cadet) and remember fondly either getting your first bull or plinking away at your brothers/sisters favorite Airfix model. Were just a grass roots club that wants to encourage people into shooting, in a safe environment and reduce the senseless destruction of Airfix models!!! Your help and support is much appreciated. Edited February 25 by Local lad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Local lad Posted March 6 Author Report Share Posted March 6 On 25/02/2024 at 11:13, Local lad said: Good day all. Firstly may I thank the 766 people that have taken the time to review my letter regarding seeking financial help to improve facilities at our club. I just wish that the 766 hits could be magically converted to £££££££. Fully appreciate times are hard other wise I wouldn't need to keep banging my drum. If you cant give financially, please can you use what ever means you can to spread the word and pass on our GOFUNDME and Facebook links. Any fund raising advise also welcome, with the exception of bank robbery. I know a lot of you still have the first air gun you used tucked away in a locked cupboard (I have, BSA Cadet) and remember fondly either getting your first bull or plinking away at your brothers/sisters favorite Airfix model. Were just a grass roots club that wants to encourage people into shooting, in a safe environment and reduce the senseless destruction of Airfix models!!! Your help and support is much appreciated. Good day all. Well now 921 people that have taken the time to review my letter regarding seeking financial help to improve facilities at our club. Again I just wish that the 921 hits could be magically converted to £££££££. Will keep banging the drum in the hope that there is a few spare £££££ out there. Thanks for reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor O'Gorman Posted March 6 Report Share Posted March 6 11 minutes ago, Local lad said: Good day all. Well now 921 people that have taken the time to review my letter regarding seeking financial help to improve facilities at our club. Again I just wish that the 921 hits could be magically converted to £££££££. Will keep banging the drum in the hope that there is a few spare £££££ out there. Thanks for reading. I read the following article with interest: Forres has a rifle target shooting star in Debbie Bexley (13) who won a gold and two silver medals at the British Open in her first major competition (forres-gazette.co.uk) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 On 06/03/2024 at 20:12, Local lad said: Good day all. Well now 921 people that have taken the time to review my letter regarding seeking financial help to improve facilities at our club. Again I just wish that the 921 hits could be magically converted to £££££££. Will keep banging the drum in the hope that there is a few spare £££££ out there. Thanks for reading. Good afternoon I have been raising funds for our shooting club - and have asked a number of manufacturers for items - one or two have been very very good - with the best being ATN - Your youngsters are their future customers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Local lad Posted March 8 Author Report Share Posted March 8 2 hours ago, jall25 said: Good afternoon I have been raising funds for our shooting club - and have asked a number of manufacturers for items - one or two have been very very good - with the best being ATN - Your youngsters are their future customers Many thanks for taking the time to read our article and for the helpful advice. I am new to this fundraising stuff and still finding asking for help a wee bit awkward. However, learning fast and after 1000 reviews with no response cash wise, getting more determined or is it desperate!! Thanks again, hope your fundraising goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 5 hours ago, Local lad said: Many thanks for taking the time to read our article and for the helpful advice. I am new to this fundraising stuff and still finding asking for help a wee bit awkward. However, learning fast and after 1000 reviews with no response cash wise, getting more determined or is it desperate!! Thanks again, hope your fundraising goes well. Me too really Try logging on and asking on the Stalking Directory Some real good lads on there and maybe a bit more up their street Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 PM Sent On 10/02/2024 at 13:00, Conor O'Gorman said: Thanks, I will raise it with colleagues next week. @Local lad I think the heritage lottery fund would be worth looking into again - given as you have outlined the heritage value of the building and the community use of it. It is a lot of paperwork before and after - having done one myself to fund forest school sessions for local schools in my area - but if its for a big sum like you describe the it is well worth it - you would just need to spread the workload and get some volunteers to deal exclusively with that (no easy task I know getting volunteers!) The shooting press may also be interested in sharing your funding appeal. Also local press as a starting point - local people more likely to support than those further afield. There may be Scottish specific funding pots also worth looking into. Hi Conor I wondered if BASC was able to help this project at all in the end ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor O'Gorman Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 2 hours ago, jall25 said: PM Sent Hi Conor I wondered if BASC was able to help this project at all in the end ? No - local lad has not emailed me yet to discuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Local lad Posted March 11 Author Report Share Posted March 11 2 hours ago, Conor O'Gorman said: No - local lad has not emailed me yet to discuss. Hi Conor. I sent an email on the 22nd at 10:36hrs and got an auto reply. A chat would be most helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor O'Gorman Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 1 hour ago, Local lad said: Hi Conor. I sent an email on the 22nd at 10:36hrs and got an auto reply. A chat would be most helpful. Thanks, huge apologies! Will be in touch asap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Local lad Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 Club member getting bronze at the Scottish Open this weekend, well done Conall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted March 13 Report Share Posted March 13 Brilliant Did you contact ATN ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Local lad Posted March 13 Author Report Share Posted March 13 2 hours ago, jall25 said: Brilliant Did you contact ATN ? Sorry not yet. I Googled them when you suggested it. You do mean the optics company? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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