An exclusive wine tasting and auction held at the Caledonian Club in London has raised more than £15,000 for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).

Over 50 people attended the event, which took place on the evening of Wednesday October 1. The proceeds from the auction will go towards funding the GWCT’s vital and ground-breaking scientific research, aimed at conserving the British countryside for generations to come.

Attendees sampled a selection of fine wines under the expert tutelage of Hew Blair, Chairman of Justerini & Brooks, before taking part in a wine auction led by renowned antique jewellery specialist, Humphrey Butler, who spent 25 years working for Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses and now runs his own business in Pall Mall.

The money was raised from 13 wine-related lots, which provoked some lively bidding. The GWCT’s London events organiser, Lucy Pearson, said “Our very generous supporters raided their cellars and pulled out wonderful wines to donate as lots, making the auction one of our most tantalising and successful yet.”

The evening was sponsored by the Landed Estates group at accountancy and investment management firm, Smith & Williamson, which provides financial advice on all aspects of running an estate.

Smith & Williamson spokesman Andrew Lockwood said: “Humphrey Butler did a grand job as auctioneer and everyone seemed to have a very good time while supporting the important work of the GWCT in preserving and enhancing our countryside.”

The GWCT would like to thank Mr Blair and the team from Justerini & Brooks – whose efforts were the driving force behind the evening – along with Smith & Williamson, Mr Butler and all those who helped the make the event such a great success.

For more information about forthcoming GWCT events in London please contact Lucy Pearson on 020 7290 0110 or by email at lpearson@gwct.org.uk. To learn more about the GWCT please visit www.gwct.org.uk.