ThePaddler 4
The Trustees signing the legal documentation: Back row left to right: Martin Hurst, Ed Gibson, Simon Everett Front: David Taylor and Paul Fennel.
The use of kayak fishing as a means of rehabilitation has been proven in the US, where it has been demonstrated that the unique qualities of the activity give our heroes benefits beyond the paddling and fishing. Apart from the physical and mental stimulation, it also provides total relaxation and above all freedom and equality on the water for the injured, up to triple amputees and especially post traumatic stress disorder sufferers (PTSD). As the strapline says “Freedom captured.”
The charity will be a low cost charity with no requirement for property or dedicated facilities, however several hurdles remain and if anyone can help with the following please let me know.
Can you run a fundraiser at work or locally? It doesn’t have to be hundreds just something. Provisional costings from the US indicate a £30 per day, per participant cost for a group meeting but this rises to over £180 for a one to one session. We consider both to be equally valuable.
We call these BOSSes (Bums On Seat Sessions). It’s an easy way to measure your donations benefit e.g.
providing a half day BOSS is £15 or a full day BOSS £30. Or a full-day group session is £180.
We also need to build up a collection of still water fisheries where the owners will be willing to allow HOW to hold a couple of meets per year. If you know a lake owner that you think would be happy for some very positive PR let me know and I will contact them to hopefully get permission.
HOW UK isn’t just for kayak anglers, although the main centre of expertise is likely to come from this side of the angling community. It is an opportunity for angling in general to provide something very positive and get behind our heroe’s recovery.
www.facebook.com/HeroesOnTheWaterUk
Heroes On the Water (HOW) is a new charity that uses kayak angling to help in the physical and mental rehabilitation and social reintegration of our wounded heroes from military, emergency services and civilian life who have suffered while carrying out a public duty. Sessions will be provided free to all participants.
Heroes On the Water UK
Please spread the word throughout the angling and boating world, it’s an opportunity for everyone to pull together for a very worthwhile cause. Join us on Facebook and ‘like’ us. We will be launching a Heroes On the Water UK forum for both supporters and users of the service to share their ideas and generally get involved.
Thank you.