An Essex fishing competition has raised over £3,000 for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.
Holdfast Training Services Ltd, who provide training support for the Corps of Royal Engineers, hosted its fifth annual ‘Carpers for Veterans Support’ fishing event at Oak Lakes Fisheries in Southminster between 20 and 22 September.
Ex-Army Serviceman and event organiser, Mark Jobling, says:
“The event was once again a resounding success and we raised £3,190 for Blind Veterans UK. It always amazes me that this huge amount of money is raised by 18 blokes fishing!”
The majority of those taking part were serving Royal Engineers or veterans but there were also civilians. The eldest was 65 and the youngest 25. The group signed up to take part in the 48-hour competition which saw them fight it out to catch the five biggest carp.
As well as the bid to be crowned top angler, there was also an opportunity to hook a great prize in the weekend’s raffle and auction which local businesses had donated generously towards.
Over the five years that the competition has been running, it has raised over £17,000 for Blind Veterans UK.
Mark says:
“I served in the British Army for 30 years. I’m fortunate that I still have my health, but some people are not so lucky. Since leaving the services, I have become passionate about giving back. I feel immensely proud to be able to do something to help those who have lost their sight whether that was during service or later in life.
“Carp angling is a passion for me. I’m able to raise money for a worthwhile charity while doing something I enjoy. I take huge satisfaction when the group of anglers turn up and are buzzing to get started.”
This year Mark and his angling partner Russ Stanley won the competition with a combined weight of 87lb and 2oz. It was rather apt that this was their year as they were presented with the inaugural Jennie Hammond Trophy.
Mark says:
“Jennie, who sadly passed away last year, worked for Blind Veterans UK and had dedicated nearly 20 years of her life to supporting blind veterans in Essex and Hertfordshire. She had been involved with ‘Carpers for Veterans Support’ since we began supporting the charity in 2020, she was entirely selfless and nothing was ever too much trouble, she became an integral part of our team.
“Her loss was a huge loss to the event so in honour of Jennie, we now award the ‘Jennie Hammond Trophy’ to the winning pair. Jennie’s husband Roger attended the event to present us with the trophy and after his speech, there wasn’t a dry eye among us.”
Show your support and help the organisers raise as much money as possible for Blind Veterans UK: Justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-jobling11
If you are part of a group that would like to find out how your special interest or hobby could be used to raise money for Blind Veterans UK, please email fundraising@blindveterans.org.uk
Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country, but knows there are many thousands more who still need its support to rebuild their lives after sight loss.
If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, then please get in touch. Call 0800 389 7979 or visit blindveterans.org.uk/support
