Moy Country Fair's gifted young lensman will raise money in memory of his dad
A young boy has honoured his late father by raising money for a charity that supported his family in their time of need.
When Gamekeeper Johnny Graham passed away suddenly two years ago, his family were supported through the tragedy by the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust. Never forgetting their kindness and support, Johnny’s eldest son, Eoghan has been raising money for the charity through photography.
Eoghan, just 10 years old, has raised £2800 so far for the GWT by taking photographs of the landscape around Lochgilphead where he lives with his mum, Anna, and two younger brothers. He has been selling his beautiful photos and donating what he makes to the charity.
The support the family received from GWT had such an impact that Eoghan has been happy to find ways to give back and remember his dad through the photographs.
He said: “My dad was a gamekeeper and we loved going out with him with the dogs, and to see the pheasants and deer. We live near the sea at Lochgilphead, and I started taking photographs which I have sold for the GWT over the past year or so. They have kept in touch with us and made sure we are ok since my dad died two years go.”
Eoghan is travelling up to the Moy Country Fair with his family for the show on August 5 and 6, hoping some of his photographs will sell on the GWT stand, where a selection of his photographs will be on display.
An organisation created to support gamekeepers, stalkers and ghillies, the GWT have been touched by Eoghan’s fundraising efforts. Helen Benson, chief executive, said: “At the trust, sometimes keeping in touch is so important especially when life changes irrevocably. It has been a privilege to be in touch with Eoghan and his family. Eoghan is a very brave, talented and thoughtful young boy and we’d like to thank him for his outstanding fundraising efforts. We hope many visitors will consider buying one of Eoghan’s photographs at the Moy Country Fair to support the cause.”
After a two-year hiatus, organisers of the annual Moy fair are looking forward to welcoming the GWT, Eoghan and his family, along with many other vendors, competitors and visitors.
JP Campbell, a Fair director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Eoghan and his family and hope many visitors will pay a visit to the trust's stand to see some of his stunning photography and help him with his fundraising drive. It is set to be a brilliant couple of days and we’re looking forward to seeing people enjoying the Fair once again after a two-year break.”
The fair has a roster that’s bigger and more diverse than ever. The traditional main ring will feature a spectacular birds of prey demonstration, pipe bands, tug of war, gundog and fishing demonstrations, pets’ parade, foxhounds and terrier racing. A variety of field sports will also be returning including clay pigeon and musket shooting, air rifles, catapults and archery.
The RNLI will be in attendance to run water safety demonstrations in recognition that more and more people are enjoying the Highland countryside via pursuits such as wild swimming and paddle boarding.
The Fair will also feature an array of activities for children from donkey rides, a bouncy castle and Bubbles the Clown to keep the children (etc) entertained.
Visitors can book tickets online for the first time at a reduced cost of £17 per person and a £1 saving on the programme
Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust info
