The very first Casting for Recovery UK and Ireland retreat took place from 17th-19th September in West Sussex with support from the Countryside Alliance. Casting for Recovery uses fly-fishing to provide support and education for women with, or who have had, breast cancer.

Casting for Recovery UK and Ireland is a non-profit organisation that gives women whose lives have been profoundly affected by the disease an opportunity to gather in a beautiful, natural setting and learn fly-fishing over a weekend.  The techniques used while fly-fishing provide gentle exercise for joint and soft tissue mobility, and the dynamics of fly fishing provide a healing connection to the natural world, relieving everyday stress and promoting a sense of calm.

Originally founded in the US in 1996 where it has already helped thousands of women, Casting for Recovery UK and Ireland was established in 2006 and provides weekend retreats at no cost to the participants including accommodation, meals and professional instruction.  The retreats offer a forum for women with similar experiences to meet, learn a new skill and gain a respite from their everyday concerns.

Simon Hart, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: “The Countryside Alliance is proud to be part of the initiative, and is committed to help future sufferers and survivors of breast cancer to fight the disease through the art of fly-fishing, and encourage greater participation in the sport on a therapeutic basis and beyond.”