Casting for Recovery's warm Yorkshire welcome

Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland, the medical fly fishing programme for ladies who have, or have had breast cancer, held its first retreat in North Yorkshire from 15-17 April. The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa near Skipton hosted eleven ladies from across Britain, some of whom were local but with participants from as far afield as Argyllshire and Hampshire.

The programme takes ladies who have (or have previously had) breast cancer on a two day residential retreat where fly fishing tuition is part of a packed itinerary that also includes counselling, relaxation and medical advice. The residential retreat offers therapy for both body and mind with the medical and counselling aspects complimenting the gentle physical therapy of the fly casting motion.

Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland is run by The Countryside Alliance Foundation (TCAF), the charity set up to increase access to the countryside and to use it for education, fun and therapy. Casting for Recovery has been running for ten years but this was its first retreat in North Yorkshire – there are already plans to return!

Casting for Recovery programme coordinator Jill Grieve said: "If you could dream up the perfect place for a bit of outdoor therapy, then this beautiful estate is it. Our aim is to support these ladies who have been profoundly affected by cancer and to give them an unforgettable weekend, helping them to move forward. The Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa is a perfect venue for our programme and I am grateful to Louise, Nick and the entire team for making our first visit so special. I look forward to coming back next year."

Nick Bannister, Chairman of TCAF was delighted to host 'Casting for Recovery' at The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa, saying: "It is a wonderful charity and one that has immeasurable benefits for all concerned. We hope that it will become a regular annual event in our Hotel Calendar."

Louise Bolton, General Manager at the Coniston Hotel, Country Estate & Spa commented: "It was such a pleasure to welcome CFR to Coniston for a 'Yorkshire Retreat'. It was great fun working with Jill and her team to ensure all the arrangements came together and their commitment was evident throughout the weekend. The benefits were apparent by the time the ladies came to leave and they clearly felt exhilarated and touched by something very special! We hope to welcome 'CFR' back soon."

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Notes to Editors
• NB retreat places are allocated by ballot and are subject to medical clearance.
• To apply, fill in an online form at www.castingforrecovery.org.uk
• Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland is part of The Countryside Alliance Foundation, a registered charity. Charity number: 1121034. Company number: 5669451