A joyous fundraising celebration

Charles Jardine tells all about the Fishing for Schools fundraiser at Lakedown Trout Fishery, taking place on Friday 30 May 2025.

As many of you will be aware, my passion is not just casting for trout and fly tying (well, everything angling, really), but also ensuring that our wonderful sport prospers in years ahead, and young people from all walks of life, especially the disadvantaged, have the same opportunities many of us have enjoyed in a sport that has absorbed us for years.  

But everything has to come to an end… I like to think I have done my bit. I will never stop being part of Fishing for Schools – it is an initiative which defines me, but there are paintings that need doing, books that need writing, and fish that definitely need catching.

In order to celebrate all the miles, schools, teachers and young people that have been associated with our little project throughout the years, we thought we should have some celebrations planned! On Friday 30 May at Lakedown Trout Fishery – Roger Daltrey’s sublime series of lakes deep in the leafy Sussex countryside - we are going hold our first ever pro-am fishing fundraising event.

The idea is to have a team of five -  where one member should be a comparative beginner to this style of fishing or indeed, any fishing - and the emphasis is firmly on having a truly jolly time. Catching a few fish, tasting some wonderful artisan beers, eating good local food and, well... that’s about it!

With the aim of raising funds for Fishing for Schools, and perhaps our future in the sport and a help nurturing young lives, we will be holding an online auction two weeks prior to the event. More details for this spectacular aspect of the day will be shared soon.

In whatever way you can, please support Fishing for Schools. If you are interested in taking part or would like more information about the event, please contact us.