Home / Clays for a Cause raises more than £1 million for charity

Clays for a Cause raises more than £1 million for charity

When Christian Horner and Sir Chris Hoy joined forces for a day of world-class shooting in Oxfordshire, the result was remarkable generosity – and more than £1 million raised for charity

Guests gathering by the marquee at the Clays for a Cause charity clay day in Oxfordshire Guests gather by the marquee at the start of the Clays for a Cause day
Shooting Times
Shooting Times 12 August 2026

The causes behind Clays for a Cause

Clays for a Cause was born of friendship and shared purpose. Conceived by former Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, the day was created in support of Tour de 4 – the organisation Chris founded following his stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024 to show that such a diagnosis, while devastating, need not define a life or limit what is possible with it. Tour de 4 supports Maggie’s, Macmillan, Cure Leukaemia, Breast Cancer Now and Prostate Cancer UK. The day also raised funds for a further cause, Ocular Melanoma UK – one that has touched Christian’s family directly, after the loss of a family member to the disease last year.

Christian Horner speaking on a microphone at Clays for a Cause with David Coulthard behind him
Christian Horner welcomes the teams, with David Coulthard just behind
The welcome being given on the lawn at Clays for a Cause with David Coulthard and Christian Horner listening
The welcome on the lawn, David Coulthard and Christian Horner listening from the back
Sir Chris Hoy in sunglasses holding a Clays for a Cause cap among guests at the shoot
Sir Chris Hoy listens to the welcome, cap in hand
Christian Horner and Sir Chris Hoy sitting at a garden table at Clays for a Cause
Christian Horner and Sir Chris Hoy, whose friendship started the whole thing off

Six drives, 30 teams and an auction on an Oxfordshire estate

Organised by Velocity Experience and delivered with the shooting expertise of E.J. Churchill, the day saw 30 teams take on six drives on an Oxfordshire estate, pausing for elevenses in the stables before gathering for a Champagne reception by the lake. Lunch followed, where an auction added a further edge to the afternoon, with lots including a stay on Mustique, a week in a luxury Verbier chalet, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team factory, complete with a pit stop experience alongside former crew members.

Ineos Grenadier in Clays for a Cause livery parked beside the lake
The Clays for a Cause Grenadier drawn up beside the lake
Rear of the Clays for a Cause Grenadier loaded with shooting kit beneath E.J. Churchill flags
Kit loaded and flags up, ready for the off
The line of shooting stands and straw bales at the Clays for a Cause charity clay day
Straw bales, traps and a big Oxfordshire sky
Two Guns shooting from a wooden stand on one of the six Clays for a Cause drives
Two Guns working a stand on one of the six drives
Shooting from a raised stand at Clays for a Cause while spectators watch
A raised stand draws a small crowd
A Gun in tweed mounts the gun as an E.J. Churchill instructor watches
An E.J. Churchill instructor keeps a close eye on the mount
Sir Chris Hoy reloading a shotgun at Clays for a Cause with two spent cartridges in the air
Sir Chris Hoy reloads, two empty cases still in the air
A Gun shooting from a stand at Clays for a Cause with an E.J. Churchill instructor alongside
Smoke still hanging as the next pair is called
Guns waiting their turn at an E.J. Churchill stand at Clays for a Cause
Waiting a turn at one of the E.J. Churchill stands
A Gun taking a high bird beside the Clays for a Cause Grenadier
Taking one on beside the Grenadier
An instructor coaching a Gun on a stand at the Clays for a Cause day
A word of coaching between pairs
A Gun mounted and swinging on a clay target at Clays for a Cause
Mounted, swinging and committed

Christian Horner on a day of remarkable generosity

“It was a fantastic day and a real privilege to see so many people come together in support of such worthwhile causes,” said Christian. “The generosity shown by everyone involved was incredible, and we’re delighted to have played a small part in helping raise more than £1 million.”

Sir Chris Hoy smiling in a Clays for a Cause cap and shooting glasses between drives
Sir Chris Hoy between drives
Christian Horner among guests at the Clays for a Cause reception
Christian Horner among the guests at the reception
Guests gathering under the copper beech at the Clays for a Cause reception
Gathering under the copper beech
Seating and flowers laid out beside the Grenadier at Clays for a Cause
Somewhere to sit between drives
Guns in E.J. Churchill caps walking out to a drive at Clays for a Cause
Green caps out to the next drive
James Blunt in sunglasses talking to an E.J. Churchill instructor at Clays for a Cause
James Blunt between drives
Two Guns on a raised stand above straw bales at Clays for a Cause
Up on the raised stand
A Gun in a Tour de 4 cap mounting a shotgun with an instructor alongside at Clays for a Cause
A Tour de 4 cap on the stand
Smoke hanging over a stand as a pair of clays is taken at Clays for a Cause
Smoke over the stand
Two Guns on the lakeside stand beneath E.J. Churchill flags at Clays for a Cause
The lakeside stand

Frequently asked questions

How much did Clays for a Cause raise?

The day raised more than £1 million, shared between Tour de 4 and Ocular Melanoma UK.

Which charities does Tour de 4 support?

Tour de 4 supports Maggie’s, Macmillan, Cure Leukaemia, Breast Cancer Now and Prostate Cancer UK. Sir Chris Hoy founded it after his stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, to show that such a diagnosis need not define a life or limit what is possible with it.

Who organised Clays for a Cause?

The day was organised by Velocity Experience, with the shooting delivered by E.J. Churchill. It was conceived by Christian Horner and Sir Chris Hoy, and 30 teams took on six drives on an Oxfordshire estate.

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