2026-10-20T14:10:19+00:00

Clay shoot raises thousands in memory of Bill

A community has come together to raise £3,300 for Roxburghe House through a clay pigeon shoot held in memory of the late Bill Parley.

Bill passed away at Roxburghe House in August last year following a seven-week stay, leaving behind his wife Mary, daughters Lynne and Tracy, and many close friends.

Organised by his best friend George Smith at Brucklay Gun Club, the memorial event last month drew shooters from across the country to compete for a trophy created in Bill’s name.

Bill was a renowned shooter who travelled extensively throughout Scotland and England, achieving great success in the sport and bagging a number of Scottish clay-pigeon shooting championships.

Fittingly, the fundraiser at Tipperty Farm brought together around 40 competitors vying for the Bill Parley Trophy alongside another 50 participants joining in for the main shoot, which included a barbecue and raffle.

A lineup of some of the shooters from Brucklay who at the end of the day fired their guns in honour of Bill.

Daughter Tracy McKessick said: “The day was amazing and we were humbled by the number of people there.

“My sister and I hadn't seen some of the shooters in years so was really nice to see some familiar faces and spend time remembering Dad.

“One of the memories from years ago was of Dad at a shoot, competing against Scotland’s number one at the time. He went on to beat him and won a Subaru truck - which he then sold to his opponent and split the money with his team.

“Everyone was just so lovely, speaking highly of Dad and his passion for shooting and how good he was. There's not a day goes by when we don’t think about Dad. We will forever be grateful to George for getting the ball rolling and for the team at Brucklay for making it such a great day.

“It made our mum, my sister and I so proud that everyone was there for Dad, as well as his grandchildren Taylor and Jon. And we were just so humbled and grateful hearing the final amount raised at the end.

(From second left) Tracy McKessick, George Smith and Lynne Parley hand over the clay shoot donation to Friends of Roxburghe trustees Marjorie Grant (far left) and Anne Brown (far right).

“This is to be an annual shoot so hopefully next year we can do the same again or even better.”

The funds raised will directly support Friends of Roxburghe House, helping to provide vital comfort, care and extra services for patients and their families.

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