Anglers took part in what is believed to be the first ever fishing tournament for people with learning disabilities and acquired brain injuries in Nottinghamshire recently.
The event at Wetlands Animal Park in Retford, organised by social care provider Voyage Care, attracted competitors from as far afield as Taunton, Burnley and Peterborough.
Every angler netted a fish, but the trophy went to Ben Mill from Chard Manor, a care home in Somerset run by Voyage Care, whose overall catch weighed an impressive 26lb.
Meanwhile, Craig Butcher, who lives at Voyage Care’s Hall Farm residential home in Doncaster, caught the largest fish of the day – a 9lb 5oz carp.
The tournament was the idea of Roger Stocks, a keen angler and manager of Hall Farm. “To the best of my knowledge this is the only fishing competition of its type in the UK and we wanted to create an event that was not only fun, but that also encouraged participation and promoted a sense of achievement,” he said.
“Without doubt, it was a really rewarding experience for everyone that took part and the feedback we’ve received has definitely inspired us to organise a bigger and even better tournament next year.”
