Hitting charity targets

GRATEFUL . . . Marlene and Peter Bony at the charity clay pigeon shoot in aid of NorthWest Air Ambulance which saved her life

THE hunt was on for the best shot as novices and experts united for a fundraiser with a twist.

Chadderton Rifle and Pistol Club hosted an adrenaline-pumping four-hour event in aid of North West Air Ambulance (NWAA).

Organiser Pete Bony, a long-term club member, said he is "indebted" to the NWAA after it gave his wife a "gift of time that saved her life".

Marlene Bony (70) recounted the fear which overcame her as she struggled to breathe and broke out in sweats at her home during the incident in 2012.

She said: "It came on very quickly, within the space of a couple of hours. Soon I couldn't walk. I didn't understand what was happening to me.

"Pete took me to the doctors, but they weren't convinced it was a heart attack, so Pete called for an ambulance which came to the surgery.

"An electrocardiogram (ECG) confirmed it was a heart attack."

Marlene was rushed to Bacup Cricket Club where an air ambulance was able to land and she was flown to Manchester Royal Infirmary. A stent was fitted as soon as the couple arrived at hospital.

"I was absolutely terrified, but they reassured me and I was there within a few minutes," Marlene said. "If I had gone by ambulance it would have taken 40 minutes. Those minutes were vital for me."

Marlene remained at the hospital for 24 hours before being transferred to Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, where she stayed for three days before returning home.

At the shooting event, she said: "I'm so glad that there is a really good turn out at this fundraiser in order to show our support for the NWAA.

"They are brilliant. I want to say a big big 'thank you' to them for saving my life."

Pete said: "We feel indebted to them to the point where I'm actually becoming a designated fundraiser for NWAA.

"The air ambulance gave my wife a gift of time that saved her life."

Pete also thanked the Chadderton club for allowing him to put on the charity event, where all proceeds, except the cost of the clays and cartridges, went to the NWAA.

The event gave novices an opportunity to try a standard 25-bird shoot who were then shown up by club members who demonstrated how it was meant to be done by hitting a series of more challenging targets.

Winner of the Novice Down The Line 25 Bird Shoot was Darren Shith with 22, while Charles Lang came second with 18, and close third was David Lloyd-Jones with 17.5.

Club member Brian Dunbavin claimed first place in the members' 25-bird shoot.

In the Plate Speed Shoot Louis Tweedale won with a time of 30.05 seconds.

Participant Kate Kemp won herself an unlucky recognition - the Toilet Seat award - for the worst shot of the day.

A total of £688.50 was presented to the NWAA representative, volunteer David Collins.

He said: "In cases like Marlene's the air ambulance is able to get someone to a place where they will receive the best treatment from specialists on the ground. The air ambulance is only here because of the people in the North West funding it. When Marlene had her accident we only had two helicopters. We now have three."