All those taking part agreed that instead of prize money, all proceeds should go to the charity and the grand total was achieved through entry money, a raffle and the barbecue.

It was three times more than organisers had hoped to raise.

The Help For Heroes charity was established last October to raise £6m to build swimming pool and gymnasium facilities at Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey, where many of the worst-injured servicemen and women are sent after being wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Organisers of the shoot Ray Brown and Roy Wadey decided to donate this
year's takings to the charity, as they felt the cause was a hugely-important one, and as the director of fundraising, Roger Morgan-Grenville, was a Petworth man.

Ray Brown told the Observer: "Soldiers lay everything on the line for us when we need them.

"We feel our clay shoot is just a small way of thanking them for what they have done, and supporting them for what they have to go through.

"We have received amazing help and encouragement locally, particularly from Mr and Mrs Richard Gadd, who not only provided the venue for the shoot, but also the clays and the equipment."

Mr Morgan-Grenville added: 'Although this is just one of over 500 events we are running nationally during 2008, it is very special to do something this successful, this close to home.

"As with all our fundraising so far, it just goes to show the affection and regard our forces are held in, and people's determination they should get the best.

"Ray and Roy have done a brilliant job here."

He said the money would go straight to helping Britain's serving injured.

The appeal's running total stands at £3.87m – £24,000 for each day since the launch in October.