Worth, Sussex – Monday June 15th.

What do a world famous cricketer, the scorer of Jamaica’s first ever World Cup goal, the designer of the Millennium Falcon for the Star Wars movies, a group of city bankers to the Queen, one of the world’s best known fly fishermen and an international designer have in common? They are all coming together on Friday the 19th of June to fly fish and help raise money for The Children’s Trust (www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk), a brilliant organisation who provide care, education, therapy and rehabilitation to children with multiple disabilities and complex health needs.

The venue is Meon Springs Fly Fishery in Hampshire (www.meonsprings.com) nestled in a picturesque Downland valley just west of Petersfield in neighbouring Sussex and a few miles north of Portsmouth on the coast. Taking a cue from similar and successful golfing charity events, this inaugural pro-celebrity fly fishing day features a group of specially invited captains being headlined by Sir Ian Botham and professional fly fisher and artist Charles Jardine who will lead teams of paying guests during a mornings fun competition with prizes awarded for the heaviest team weight, biggest fish, a fun spot prize for a category the organisers will decide on the day such as most stylish fishing outfit perhaps and even the infamous wooden spoons for the last placed team! The day was conceived and organised by Paul Sharman of top fly fishing website www.fishandfly.com and Chris Dulley, MD of DCP Ltd, a long-time supporter of the Trust and organiser of the Construction Ball, another very popular and successful fundraising event. Sharman said “The Children’s Trust carries out invaluable work that could touch any one of us in our lifetime. We are proud to show that fly fishers are very keen to help out a great cause like this and hope it will be the start of a successful annual event that raises much-needed funds for years to come.”

The main fundraising part of the day is a lunchtime charity auction where professional Auctioneer Neil Freeman of Angling Auctions will preside over lots that include a very special ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour of the Natural History Museum, several top class fishing opportunities, a specially signed and limited edition collectors copy of Brian Clarke’s famous book – “In Pursuit of Stillwater Trout”, a table for ten at an exclusive House of Commons event, and other desirable items such as a set of top quality crystal wine glasses donated by well-known international designer and passionate angler John Rocha from his Waterford collection.

Click on www.total-fishingclub.com – the UK’s No1 online match fishing club – to win a trip to the world match fishing championships, and save money off tackle