A Fantastic and Memorable Day from Dawn til Dusk
The NCAS Dawn til Dusk Challenge 2024 took place on Sunday 14th July, hosted by Towcester Archers at Towcestrians Sports Club, and it was a brilliant day.
The Northamptonshire County Archery Society (NCAS) aims to hold the Dawn til Dusk Challenge every two to three years. The first event, in 2015, was held in memory of NCAS Chair, Chris Mason, and it brought our archery community together in a truly special way – to remember, to celebrate, and to raise vital funds to fight this devastating disease. The next full event, in 2019, hosted by Wellingborough Open Archery Club, was just as memorable and significant, reflecting on the losses of Christine Marshall and Bob Kaminski, who had passed away in the year leading up to the shoot.
From the first arrows loosed at 6:00am to the final end around 8:00pm, archers from across Northamptonshire and beyond came together to continue a wonderful tradition and take on a true test of endurance for a vital cause.
Those who completed all four scoring rounds – Windsor, Western, National, and Warwick – shot an astonishing 348 arrows across the day. A remarkable achievement!
The weather was perfect – calm, bright, and warm – providing the ideal backdrop for a day full of camaraderie and purpose.
Many archers wore bespoke event shirts featuring the names of loved ones they were shooting in memory of. It was a touching and unifying sight, reminding us why this event is so important: to celebrate life, honour those we’ve lost, and raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.
For me personally, the day had extra meaning. I recently lost my dear friend and former fiancée, Claire, and I wanted to honour her memory by helping make this day something truly special.
The Challenge
Archers had the choice to shoot one, two, three, or all four rounds throughout the day:
Windsor – Sighters at 06:00
Western – Sighters at 11:00
National – Sighters at 15:00
Warwick – Sighters at 18:45
I’m thrilled to share that this year’s challenge raised over £4,000 for Cancer Research UK.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated, participated, volunteered, or supported in any way. Every single effort, no matter how big or small, made a real difference.
Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers, the event ran brilliantly from sunrise to sunset. The encouragement on the shooting line and the shared sense of purpose made the day unforgettable.
Raffle Highlights
The mid-afternoon raffle, held after the Western round, was a great success, with lots of excitement and some fantastic prizes. Congratulations to all the winners, especially those who took home the top prizes:
– Aston Martin Formula One Factory Tour at Silverstone for up to six people
– Sports Vision Assessment (value £695) courtesy of Davis Optometrists, Kettering
– Coaching Session with Archery Coach & Instructor Gaynor Hutchinson
– Two Tickets to the first Vice Presidents Lunch of the 2024/25 Rugby Season at Towcestrians Sports Club
Thank you to everyone who donated prizes and purchased raffle tickets, your generosity made a significant contribution to our fundraising total.
Special recognition goes to young Archie Longley and Bertie Fulton, who raised over £1,500 between them (Archie £1,045, Bertie £580), and to Deb Wright, who raised over £400 in memory of her friend, Carmel.
It is inspiring to see how this event continues to evolve, always driven by remembrance and the shared goal of helping others.
View the full results from the day here:
NCAS Dawn til Dusk 2024 Results
Donations still very welcome here: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/ncas-dusk-til-dawn-challenge-team-2024
Here’s to another successful Dawn til Dusk Challenge – see you all at the next one!
With heartfelt thanks,
Dean Edwards
Organiser & Field Captain
competitions@towcesterarchers.co.uk
Photos courtesy of Sophie Fulton, Dean Edwards & Mark Allison.
