Retford’s Wetlands Animal Park played host to a fishing tournament for anglers with learning disabilities and acquired brain injuries recently.
Organised by learning disability service provider Voyage Care, the tournament attracted 20 competitors from all over the UK who lived in residential care homes and day centres operated by the organisation.
Chris Haines, who lives at Markham House in Bolsover, swept the board catching both the largest fish at 7lb and securing the biggest haul with a total catch of more than 22lb.
Ben Maycock, who lives at Marner House in Nuneaton, netted second place with a total haul of 16lb and was narrowly beaten into 3rd place by Darrell Nicholls in the largest fish category.
Nicholls, who lives at Rivers Home in Oldcotes, Worksop, bagged a 6.4lb fish beating Maycock by the slimmest of margins – a mere 200g.
Ricky McGregor, who had travelled from Tate Lodge in Liverpool, made the long trip worthwhile by taking third place in the biggest catch category with a total haul of 10.13lbs.
Voyage Care’s internal communications manager Sue Evans, who organises the annual event, said: “It’s always a joy to organise this tournament, as it gives a great deal of pleasure not only to the people we support but also to the staff members who accompany them. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and it’s fantastic to see the people we support learning different skills and making new friends.”
Picture: Chris Haynes presented with his trophy by Alan Berry, Voyage’s learning and development manager
