When Andy called at my home after the match had finished, for the first time in my life I was utterly speechless. For 10 Anglers, along with the help of their family and friends, to manage to raise around £1,000 in only four short weeks is an amazing achievement by anyone's standard. It is a sum that has exceeded my wildest expectations when I first had the idea of hosting a charity match.
Adi is absolutely right to say the event has been a team effort, but all teams require a leader. I think it goes without saying that, despite heavy personal workloads, Andy and Adi especially deserve an extra special mention for going that extra mile and keeping motivation and interest at its peak. I think Andy is an 'EverReady Bunny in disguise'. Never in my life have I ever met anyone with his level of drive and committment - cheers mate, it's a privilige to call you friend.
If possible, could those anglers who still have to collect sponsorship money in get it to me before the 10th of December, as that's when I am travelling to the Cavendish Centre to hand the money over. I have been asked by the Centre to express their sincerest, heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all involved, and was assured that photographs of the match, along with a report, will be published in a forthcoming journal in the new year. My telephone number is 01709 587363, or 07906277345. If required, I can travel to collect the money from you myself; just ring me to make arrangements.
Even though no fish were caught, would anglers mind taking a few minutes of their time out to send me an email and fill me in on what pegs they were in, what tactics they used, and whether they saw any fish topping and what time,etc, so that I will have enough information to put a match report together for the Crafty Carper magazine and CarpWorld.
Dave from Alderfen rang me to apologise for Mark being unable to get to the lake at the end on Sunday. He is a policeman, and had been called in unexpectedly to work. So, I am going to drive over when the two of them are at the lake together to collect the fifty pounds they are donating, and get a few photos of them for the report.
What brought tears to my eyes on the Saturday when I was walking around chatting to all entrants, was the number of times that I heard anglers state that they had no interest in the prizes on offer whatsoever. They were simply there to fish and mix with the greatest bunch of anglers one could hope to find in any syndicate anywhere in this country. But most of all - they were there to raise as much money as was possible for a very worthwhile charity. On our way home, my wife had tears running down her cheeks as she told me that she thought I was very fortunate to belong to a group of anglers with such big selfless hearts. And I couldn't agree more.
My sincere gratitude to you all. I hope we can hold the match again next year, though a lot earlier in the year so body parts aren't frozen off!!
Take care, tight lines and God bless.
Stuart
