Arundell Arms hosts “unforgettable” weekend for breast cancer angling initiative

Ten brave ladies enjoyed a weekend of fly fishing at the Arundell Arms, Lifton, Devon from 26-28 March as participants in Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland, a unique outdoor-based programme specifically designed for women who have, or have had, breast cancer.
Casting for Recovery provides fly fishing programmes at idyllic retreats around the UK and Ireland. This was the second retreat to be held at the Arundell Arms, and its reputation as a beautiful sporting hotel made it the perfect choice again. Further retreats are planned for Hampshire in July and Scotland and Northern Ireland in September. 
Any woman who has experienced breast cancer is eligible to apply to attend a retreat (with medical clearance from their doctor).   Retreats take place over two-and-a-half days and all accommodation, meals, counselling, and professional instruction are provided at no cost to participants. Trained medical staff and fly fishing instructors are on hand at all times, the Countryside Alliance is a major financial backer and all fishing tackle and appropriate clothing is provided by Orvis UK.
Fly fishing is a gentle exercise which requires no strength and is exactly the sort of exercise in which recovering breast cancer patients can participate safely. Fly fishing also offers those on retreat a chance to reflect and escape in tranquil surroundings. Casting for Recovery was founded in the United States in 1996 and has since helped over 3,500 breast cancer survivors. In the UK and Ireland it began in 2006 and over 180 women have now been through the programme over thirteen retreats.
The UK and Ireland Programme Co-ordinator is Sue Hunter, who recovered from breast cancer to become an international gold medallist fly fisher.   Sue said:  “It was wonderful to return to the Arundell Arms, which perfectly captures what the programme is about: tranquillity, fun, friendship and fishing in a beautiful environment. I cannot thank Arundell Arms owner Anne Voss-Bark and her team enough for their warm hospitality and for giving the lady participants such an unforgettable experience.”