Women cast for recovery at free fishing initiative in Ballina, Co. Mayo
Breast cancer survivors enjoy initiative supported by Inland Fisheries Ireland
Breast cancer survivors gathered in Mount Falcon, Ballina, Co. Mayo last weekend to attend a fishing retreat organised by breast cancer project Casting For Recovery and supported by Inland Fisheries Ireland.
In total, 13 women attended the free fishing retreat which incorporated medical advice, education services, counselling and relaxation techniques. The retreat was delivered by trained professionals including a psycho-social therapist, a health care professional as well as qualified fly fishing instructors and fishing guides.
Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland is a flagship project of The Countryside Alliance Foundation, a charity dedicated to increasing access to the countryside and helping as many people appreciate the great outdoors in the UK and Ireland. Casting for Recovery provides an opportunity for women who gone through a breast cancer journey to attend a retreat at a spectacular venue to learn the art of fly fishing.
This was the eighth year which the initiative has been held in Mount Falcon in Ballina with participants receiving fly fishing coaching and advice from local volunteers. On completion of the course, they receive a certificate in fly casting acknowledging their new proficiency in the pursuit. Previous participants in the programme in Mount Falcon have taken up fly fishing as a hobby with one participant graduating to fish on the Irish Women’s Team.
The event was supported by Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Sponsorship Scheme which sponsors angling events and initiatives across the country. In 2017, the scheme will support 79 initiatives to the overall tune of €30,000 with a focus on those which help grow Ireland’s angling tourism product and support novice anglers.
Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “We are delighted to support Casting For Recovery’s fantastic fishing initiative and to see 13 women try the sport of fly fishing for the first time. There are a number of health & wellbeing benefits experienced from outdoor recreational activities and fishing is no exception. It can be enjoyed at any age or ability in numerous locations across Ireland.
Inland Fisheries Ireland is committed to supporting community groups nationwide who want to help increase the number of anglers and recognise the huge economic and recreational benefits which angling offers rural areas.”
Sue Shaw, Casting For Recovery said: This initiative provides an opportunity for breast cancer survivors to gather on retreat in a natural setting to learn the sport of fly fishing. Equally important however, the retreats offer an opportunity to exchange information and experiences around their breast cancer journey, make new friends and take some time out for themselves. ”
The women who took part in the 2017 initiative in Mount Falcon were from Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Mayo as well as Cambridge.
For more information about Casting for Recovery, visit www.castingforrecovery.org.uk . To find out more about Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Sponsorship Scheme, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie/funding .
