A big thank you from Heroes On The Water

[darnsarf]

I just wanted to say thank you to Lofty (Steve) and the committee for giving me the opportunity to present Heroes On The Water (HOW) last week at the monthly meeting.  Hopefully the chairman has received the presentation for those that were unable to attend.

 

The members were very generous and we raised an invaluable £135 at the meeting. That money will be used specifically to fund upcoming sessions for injured military personnel.  Thank you.

 

A special mention to Mal Thomas who has made a very large and significant personal donation. Mal was as good as his word at the meeting and by return of post I received his cheque. Thank you Mal, it will be put to good use.

 

If anyone has any questions regarding HOW please don't be shy. Probably best on this thread or by email heroesonthewateruk@gmail.com

 

Thank you.

 

Paul Fennell

Founder & Trustee

 

[Maverick Martin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcZuQXn4KSY&feature=player_detailpage

 

[darnsarf]

Just as a follow up to the meeting I am happy to confirm that our first guest session will be held on 16th of August for a double amputee and his wife. It is the first time they have done anything together outdoors since he received his injuries.

 

We only formed 16 weeks ago and had nothing, we really appreciate the support that we have received.  We are now able to offer services to up to 6 veterans, including kayaks, tackle and the all important safety gear.

 

We have also received permission from the South West Lakes Trust to use their waters and are currently organising a session for injured marines down in Cornwall.

 

Thanks again for your continued and vital support.  Join us on Facebook if you are that way inclined.  If not I will post major developments here.

 

https://www.facebook.com/HeroesOnTheWaterUk

[Jim]

Being an old fuddy duddy, I'm not going anywhere near Facebook. Although Jacqui says our club site is the same thing.

Yes please keep us up to date on here and keep up the good work Paul. 

 

 

Jim

[darnsarf]

Thanks Jim. Ref the good work, it only can happen because of our supporters.  So it is us that doff our caps...

[darnsarf]

We held our first session on Friday.

 

A big thank you to Luke and Sophie for joining us .......they even caught some fish. We all had a great time.

 

Here is Luke's story as featured in the Mirror.

 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/when-the-ied-exploded-i-shouted-anyone-hurt-153496

 

Thank you for the support you have shown it is making a difference....

[darnsarf]

Here are a few photos from last Fridays first session.

 

 

 

Thanks for your donations on the night they really do make a difference.

 

Have now purchased the VW Campervan and are planning our next sessions in Cornwall and the Norfolk Broads so things are now gathering pace. Plus Luke and Sophie are looking to return for another session with a long term view to go Tope fishing next year.  Training course now being drawn up.

 

Quote of the day:

 

"... as soon as I took off from the waters edge I forgot why I was so stressed." (Luke)

 

Thanks again.
 

 

[Jim]

Paul,

What we do is just a tiny drop in the ocean.

But with enough drops, you can create a sea.

Glad to have helped in some small way for such a worthy cause.

These people will benefit from your work. Keep it up.

 

 

Jim

[darnsarf]

Big thanks to Chris Witheford who made a donation today to cover the cost of the recently fitted towbar. Really appreciated Chris, thank you.

[darnsarf]

Thanks again to Mal Thomas for his donation from his recent voucher auction.

 

Quick update the registration process is grinding on and we now at least have a Charity Comission Registration Application Number. As the winter approaches Dry Suits have become our number one priority.

 

Had a great session last week with injured Marine Martin Payne at Upper Tamar Lake. He caught his first ever fish. Can you remember that moment. The small Roach was one of 19 fish but that fish will live with him forever.

 

Unfortunately, cant seem to upload the photo from the Tablet but the smile is almost as big as the fish.

 

Thanks again.

[darnsarf]

Read about Mitch and the crews epic Scottish fundraising paddle..........

 

http://www.heroesonthewater-uk.org/blog

 

If you are looking to hold a sponsored fundraiser please consider HOW. Being a small charity we are able to personally support all our fundraisers and every pound makes a very definate difference.... Mitch's efforts will help us buy the kayak roof carrying system and cover the costs of many sessions.

 

The next 2 of which are on the 24th Oct and 5th Nov.

 

I am also pleased to say the first HOW "team" will fish the Poole Kayak Flounder meet on 7th December. If you are on the water, look out for any kayak with a HOW sticker and come say hello.

[Jim]

Read about Mitch and the crews epic Scottish fundraising paddle..........

 

http://www.heroesonthewater-uk.org/blog

 

If you are looking to hold a sponsored fundraiser please consider HOW. Being a small charity we are able to personally support all our fundraisers and every pound makes a very definate difference.... Mitch's efforts will help us buy the kayak roof carrying system and cover the costs of many sessions.

 

The next 2 of which are on the 24th Oct and 5th Nov.

 

I am also pleased to say the first HOW "team" will fish the Poole Kayak Flounder meet on 7th December. If you are on the water, look out for any kayak with a HOW sticker and come say hello.

Will you launch from Lake Pier Paul ?

 

I'll try to get down.

 

Jim

[darnsarf]

Yes Jim, I have one confirmed HOW guy and hope for one, possibly 2 more. A lot will depend on the weather. It will their first outing on the salty stuff and although the harbour holds little fear for the experienced for an injured novice it can throw up some interesting challenges.

[Kingfisher 126]

 

Hi Paul

 

I am willing to be a support boat for the guys in the comp if that helps, kettle always on and can keep an eye out no problem.

 

Offer is there if you require a little assistance.

 

Chris

[darnsarf]

Chris that's appreciated and you are very welcome but I must admit I am only looking to get them to paddle from Lake Pier to Rockley.  This will be the first outing on the sea so need to break them in gently, the harbour is perfect for this and should see plenty of HOW activity next year as we bring more guys from Freshwater to Salt.

 

Here is our first pathway success from yesterday.

 

We had another session with injured Marine Martin Payne. Got very competitive, Marines v Army with the Army winning 23 to 21 fish. Martin is progressing very well. He is able to rig his own kayak and fishing gear.

Best of all despite pelvic and lower back blast injuries he mastered the pain and a bit of coaching carried out a perfect self rescue. He will now take to the sea and be a our first HOW Team member. His first outing will be Poole Flounder Meet in December. We hope to enter HOW teams into as many future comps as possible including PBSBAC kayak comps.

 

Here are a couple of pics from yesterday.

 

 

 

[lofty]

Looking forward to the flounder comp. I'd love it if some of the club members could get down. Always people willing to let newbies have a quick tryout , although don't fall in in December

[Rob]

Looking forward to the flounder comp. I'd love it if some of the club members could get down. Always people willing to let newbies have a quick tryout , although don't fall in in December

 

No thanks!!!

[darnsarf]

Rob...Im hoping to have a double amputee taking to the water............. go on give it a go

[darnsarf]

On Tuesday HOW returned to Hawley Lake, a closed fishery renowned for Pike, Perch. Its also the Royal Engineers training lake and as an ex-Sapper it was re-assuring to hear the same old bridge building commands being used as I was taught in the 80s.

Our 2 guests, one a double amputee, mastered the high wind and rain without a problem and lure fished hard.  They blasted the water with everything from Mepps and soft plastics to trolling with Rapalas and crank baits. Not even the Big S got a sniff.

The reason, probably a new fishing excuse, was that the RE were holding a Battlefield Simulations Day on the neighbouring Demolitions Range. Now I know from personal experience there is nothing a Sapper likes more than to blow something up, the bigger the better.  Well they excelled themselves.  They realistically simulated everything from IEDs and Mortars to air strafing attacks, all at full volume.  Well done them. Killed the fishing though, you could feel the water shake underneath you and the fish just disappeared.  Still as one guest said, "its just great to be out on the water"

 

Had a problem getting one guest off the water, he was desperate to catch a fish.

 

 

First time out for both van and trailer, worked well.

 

 

We have another fresh session booked but also hope to hold our first sea session shortly.

[Jim]

Very well done Paul.

We're always keen to see and hear how it's going.

 

 

Jim

[darnsarf]

Don't worry Jim.  The clubs support has been brilliant and you guys will always be on my keep updated list.  I just don't want to swamp you with niff naff and trivia so if it gets to much don't be afraid to say so.

 

Paul

[Jim]

I've seen no sign of any niff naff and trivia yet Paul.

 

 

Jim

[darnsarf]

Long may it continue ...