Casting for Recovery makes return visit to Brookhall
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| Brookhall Trout Fishery presented a cheque for £3,826 to Casting for Recovery. The money was raised during a raffle and fundraising event. | The ladies enjoying the day at Brookhall Trout Fishery. |
CASTING for Recovery, the unique outdoor-based programme specifically designed for women who have, or have had, breast cancer, returned to Brookhall Trout Fishery near Lisburn recently for a therapeutic retreat for eleven ladies.
Casting for Recovery provides fly fishing programmes at idyllic retreats around the UK and Ireland and this was the second visit to Brookhall.
Any woman who has experienced breast cancer is eligible to apply to attend a retreat (with medical clearance from their doctor). They take place over two-and-a-half days and all accommodation, meals, counselling and professional instruction are provided at no cost to participants thanks to the financial backing of the Countryside Alliance, although the fishing at Brookhall was kindly donated by owners Kenny Ferguson and Cathryne Boyes.
Trained female medical and counselling staff and fly fishing instructors are on hand at all times and the fishing tackle and appropriate clothing is provided by Orvis UK.
The UK and Ireland Programme Co-ordinator is Sue Hunter, who recovered from breast cancer to become an international gold medallist fly fisher. Sue said: "We were delighted to return to Brookhall this year, following a wonderfully welcoming and tranquil retreat last year, and once again the lady participants were thrilled to experience Casting for Recovery's brand of therapy.
"The team at Brookhall have been supportive of Casting for Recovery from the start, and I would like to thank Kenny and Cathryne not only for hosting the retreat, but also for the generous donation of £3,826 raised from a raffle and fundraising event. Casting for Recovery is lucky to have the support of the angling community, and their work to help us run retreats for these brave women is invaluable."
Ulster Star
30/10/2009
