An angler who set up an annual mental health awareness day and embrace its therapeutic benefits is known as ‘Fishing 4 Mental Health’ – a set day each year when clubs open their waters to people with mental health issues and offer them a semi-safe space to learn about fishing.
Mike Bromley’s campaign to get more people into angling has been backed by some of the sport’s biggest names, as well as by the King himself!
Mike, who has PTSD, has felt the healing effects of angling on his own wellbeing:
“The benefits of sitting in nature are outstanding,” he told us. “It inspired me to start the campaign, which kicked off with a 48-hour pairs event on Peatmoor Lake in Swindon, where over £2,000 was raised for charity.”
In the build-up to the event, Mike received messages of support and donations from Bob Nudd, Will Raison and Ali Hamidi, as well as a very special one from His Majesty, King Charles III.
In a letter from Stephen Bromley, Head of Royal Correspondence, he was told that the King, an angler himself, was ‘particularly touched’ that Mike would share how angling had helped his own mental health challenges, and wished him well in organising the event going forward.
For more info, visit: www.fishing4mentalhealth.co.uk
