Keith Passant and members of the North Wilts Fly Fishing Club in Swindon are holding a 24 hour non stop fly-tying session over the weekend of 17th/18th May, 2008, at the Orvis shop in Burford, Oxfordshire to aid the vital work of Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland, a unique outdoor-based programme specifically designed for women who have or have had breast cancer.
Casting for Recovery is an initiative which provides fly-fishing programmes at idyllic retreats around the UK and Ireland. Fly-fishing offers proven benefits for recovering breast cancer patients. The casting action provides the gentle exercise recommended by physiotherapists for joint and soft tissue mobility. Fly-fishing also offers participants a chance to reflect and escape in tranquil surroundings. Castings for Recovery retreats have the financial backing of the Countryside Alliance, and many anglers across the country are supporting the cause by holding fundraising events and tying flies.
Keith commented, “We are very proud to be supporting this worthwhile initiative, which will not only help many brave ladies across the country, but will introduce them to our favourite sport. We hope our contribution will help to make a real difference and will enable Casting for Recovery to establish itself as a force for fishing and breast cancer recovery in the UK and Ireland”
The UK Programme Co-ordinator is Sue Hunter, who recovered from breast cancer to become an international gold medallist and captain of Team England 2007. Sue said: “We are immensely grateful to Keith and his club for this support and commitment. We are very grateful for all the help and support we are receiving – everything donated goes straight towards helping breast cancer patients, which is hugely worthwhile.”
On Saturday evening well known angling personality Charles Jardine will be joining Keith to assist by tying flies then fishing the flies on a local water, trying to catch Keith his supper and then cooking it for him at the shop. Charles maintains “ this is probably the maddest thing I’ve undertaken for quite a while, but this is a cause I believe in wholeheartedly and anything I can do to help raise funds, I will.
You can get involved by sponsoring Keith for the event or buying raffle tickets for some of the superb prizes he already has in the pipe line. Keith can be contacted on 07766335272 or by email at kptyer@btinternet.com
