A STRUGGLING charity that encourages youngsters to take up fishing has received a huge bonus with the donation of prime carp and tench worth £6,000.
Angling Projects in Wraysbury, Berkshire, receives no official backing, and were given this most welcome boost by kind-hearted Viv Shears who runs VS Fisheries.
Angling Projects creator and owner Les Webber, who was honoured for his work by receiving an MBE ,explained: “This grew out of a recent large angling show where we had a free stand.
“We collect money in buckets that are attached to the buggies that transport people from the car parks, and this raised £650.
“Also Browning’s stall were selling hats for us signed by Bob Nudd and this brought in a further £350.
“Out of the blue we were approached by Viv and amazingly he offered us the fish worth £6,000.
“We were delighted to take him up on his kind offer and the fish have already been delivered and released.
“There were about 150 mixed carp and some tench in the 4 to 6 inch range and around 50 much larger specimens up to double-figures.
“This will boost catches now and in the future and it’s catching the fish that hooks the youngsters.
“I’d like to thank Viv and all the other anglers who donated cash for helping to keep us afloat.”
Angling Projects re-grows numbers
Les continued: “Sadly in recent times the number of groups using the scheme has declined owing to the cutbacks in funding for schools and youth clubs, although now we are attracting many more bookings from scout groups so numbers have picked up.
“I would love to think we could do something to help keep youngsters away from knife crime by giving them an interesting pastime as we also have the facility for groups to come to spend time here with on site accommodation provided.
“But of course we rely on youth organisations learning about us and having the wherewithal to bring youngsters along,” concluded Les, who has been running Angling Projects for 43 years.
Anyone wishing to assist the project or bring groups of youngsters can contact Les via the Angling Projects website: www.angling-projects.co.uk
GOT A STORY, OR VIEWS OR GREAT PHOTOS? You could appear in print and online with us! Email pix with info to: anglersmail@ti-media.com
Big value subscriptions to Angler’s Mail magazine are now at a Bargain Price! Get the deals here 
fal.cn/SI7K
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail magazine delivered to your door, or the door of a friend/relative. And it’s at discounted rates… to suit all pockets.
There are great deals for the print version and for the digital version, too.
You may also like to read these Angler’s Mail stories…
Schools offer fishing heaven for novices
THERE’S never been a better time for youngsters to get into angling, with projects springing up around the country to…
Pike fishing tips – 6 of the best hints for novices
EVEN though there are sure to be a few frosts in the weeks ahead, pike will still be on the…
“Get kids hooked,” says Tarrant
TELLY star Chris Tarrant has urged anglers not to stop taking kids and novices fishing despite the National Fishing Month…
Commercial fisheries – best swims revealed!
Commercial fisheries are profiled, along with natiural waters, every week in the Angler’s Mail magazine’s mega Where To Fish This…