Casting for Recovery's fly fishing therapy schedule 2018

Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland, the unique fly fishing charitable programme which offers fly fishing retreats as therapy to ladies with breast cancer, has announced six residential retreats for 2018, with registrations opening on a rolling basis from January.

The project, which is ten years old and in 2017 celebrated its 40th retreat, is run by The Countryside Alliance Foundation, a charity dedicated to using the countryside as a place of therapy, enjoyment and education.

Two-day retreats are free of charge to lady participants and any lady who has, or has had, breast cancer is eligible to apply (attendance is subject to medical clearance). The itinerary incorporates medical advice, counselling, relaxation techniques and the beautiful sport of fly fishing. The focus of each retreat is very much on moving forward. Retreats are delivered by trained professionals including counsellors, oncology nurses and qualified fly fishing instructors and guides whose expertise will hopefully help each participant catch a trout. Fishing kit is provided for each retreat by leading manufacturers Orvis UK.

The project is renowned for supporting participants against a backdrop of beautiful scenery and accommodation. In 2018 six retreats will be held, including a first retreat in East Sussex and a return to Wales after a five year absence. We will also be returning to some favourite venues in 2018:

• 20-22 April - The Coniston Hotel Spa and Country Estate, Skipton, North Yorkshire
• 11-13 May - Garnffrwd Fishery and Best Western Llanelli, Carmarthenshire
• 15-17 June - Brick Farm Lakes, nr Herstmonceux & Cooden Beach Hotel, Bexhill, East Sussex
• 20-22 July - Kimbridge on the Test, Romsey, Hampshire
• 21-23 September - Forbes of Kingennie resort, Broughty Ferry, Angus
• 19-21 October - Mount Falcon Estate, Co Mayo

Casting for Recovery Director Jill Grieve commented: "This project's simple aim is to offer ladies with breast cancer a fun and supportive experience in our beautiful countryside. The fly fishing side of the project makes us unique as fishing is so often seen as a man's domain, but over 500 former participants of this programme would beg to differ. After the stress of diagnosis and the grind of treatment, we feel privileged and humbled to be able to offer ladies a weekend that is just for them, surrounded by supportive people who know exactly how they are feeling."

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Notes to editors:
• Registrations will open in January for the Coniston retreat, and will then roll out gradually. Ladies can register at http://www.castingforrecovery.org.uk/
• Registrations are entered into a ballot – we cannot guarantee success in the ballot.
• Retreats are provided free of charge. All participants need to do is get to the retreat and we will take care of all food, accommodation, counselling, medical advice, fly fishing instruction and fishing kit.
• Ladies should be three months clear of surgery. Attendance on retreat is subject to medical clearance.
• Ladies will be required to share a bedroom with another participant.
• Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland is part of The Countryside Alliance Foundation, a registered charity. (Charity number: 1121034. Company number: 5669451.)

For more information contact [email protected]