A CHARITY offering match fishing to military veterans has raised more than £70,000 for those wounded while serving our country.
Hooked for Heroes was launched by Dave Stott, from Chesterfield, 14 years ago to support the Help for Heroes charity. At the first match, only nine anglers took part, but this month 63 anglers lined up at Cudmore Fisheries in Staffordshire. A number of famous anglers, including Bob Nudd, have also got involved, and Dave revealed the impact the charity has had.
“Hooked for Heroes is like a family,” he said,
“We now have four or five matches a year, the flagship event being at Lindholme Lakes where our record attendance is 188 anglers.”
Lancashire angler Dave Watson lost both legs above the knee and his right arm to an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Afghanistan in 2010 and has been a Hooked for Heroes ambassador for nine years.
“Fishing massively helps people with their mental health,” he said.
“You can’t rush, so while you wait for the fish you can open up and chat. It’s good fun, relaxing and a great laugh.”
