Celebrating Fishing for Schools

A young school boy on the verge on exclusion and the fringes of gang culture, is now, thanks to the inspiring initiative Fishing for Schools, a model student. This was the story that Charles Jardine, founder and director of Fishing for Schools, told the instructors and supporters who gathered in Farlow's on 30th January for the launch of the highly anticipated rod raffle. This incredible testimonial was sent to Charles that very afternoon. It is just one story in the ever-growing almanac of Fishing for Schools. The scheme is for those pupils with learning difficulties or disruptive behaviour. They are invited into the countryside and taught the therapeutic art of fly fishing. It has been a huge success, and the list of those whose future has been put back on track is growing longer by the day.

The rod raffle is a chance to raise much needed funds to enable the initiative to continue and expand. Tim Bonner, after paying tribute to the peerless Charles, who puts so much work into Fishing for Schools said: "Our only frustration is that we still have to turn down so many schools who apply to be part of the scheme. The sale of these raffle tickets will help this incredible work to expand into even more areas of the country."

Raffle tickets are £25 and the prize is extraordinary: 4 top end Sage X rods to cover every fishing situation you'll encounter in Britain, matching House of Hardy reels and Airflo lines, and flies for each outfit tied by the UK's best tiers.

Tickets are available to buy here.