Portknockie anglers aiming to net a tidy sum for Buckie cancer group at flyfishing fundraiser
A GROUP of Portknockie anglers are hoping to net a tidy sum for a local cancer charity when they hold their inaugural Mid-Summer Charity Fly Fishing event.
Portknockie Angling Club, which was formed only last year and is based at the Victoria Hotel in the village, are inviting anglers near and far to what aims to be a fun day raising cash for the Buckie and District Cancer Support Group.
The event will be taking place at Wardend Fishery by Birnie, near Elgin from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, June 15 featuring two fishing sessions lasting two hours each. Participants do not have to register and can just turn up on the day.
In addition to the chance to raise cash for a good cause, there will be snacks and drinks, a raffle and other activities - including a fly-tying expert - on offer.
David Boa, who along with wife Lorraine runs the Victoria Hotel and is also an angling club member, said: “The cancer group have been good supporters of the hotel and helped a lot of people in the village.
“We have a lot of friends who have had or are having treatment for cancer.
“As a small angling club formed just last year we’re delighted to be organising this event for a really good cause.”
Mr Boa added that the hotel were further supporting the event by sponsoring burgers for the famished fishermen on the day.
The inspiration for the fundraiser came from club member Colin McLeish, who lives in Portknockie.
In 2004 Mr McLeish founded the Simmer Dim charity flyfishing competition while living in Shetland following the death of his father from cancer. Since then the fundraiser has raised over £100,000 in aid of three cancer charities serving the islands.
He said: “I’m hoping we can do this on annual basis, but this is the first Mid-Summer Charity Flyfishing event in aid of Buckie and District Cancer Support Group.
“We don’t have a fundraising in target for the event, especially as it’s our first time, we’ll be very appreciative of any support and success we get. We’ll go with it, enjoy the day and see what we get.
“There’s been a lot of interest so far from both the local area and further afield. There’s been quite a few people who’ve said they can’t make it this year but would like to come next year and have sent us a donation.
“I think it’s important to understand this isn’t a competition, it’s about raising money for Buckie and District Cancer Support Group and having a fun day of fishing while we’re doing it.
“There will be a raffle drawn on the day and if anyone would like to donate a prize, we’d be most grateful. These can be handed in to Wardend Fishery.”
In a bid to maximise the money raised for the cancer group Mr McLeish, who is a retired art teacher, has created three paintings, two of which will be raffled. These - one featuring Portknockie’s Bow Fiddle Rock and the other depicting part of Findochty - are being raffled through the cancer group’s Facebook page.
The third painting, which features a fish which has been landed in a net, is to be the subject of a silent auction - bids should be sent to Wardend Fishery at info@wardendfishery.co.uk by 5pm on June 15.
Buckie and District Cancer Support Group chairwoman Gladys McKenzie voiced the organisation’s appreciation for the efforts of the angling club and went on to describe some of the work the volunteer team do to help those suffering from the disease.
She continued: “We offer financial and emotional support to anyone suffering from cancer or their carers or family.
“We’ve never turned down a request for anything yet - anything we can do to help someone on their journey through cancer. It could be transport to appointments for treatment in the likes of Elgin, Aberdeen or Inverness. We can help pay for stays at CLAN and help with bills, particularly heating bills, as well.
Donations can also be made to the event via the cancer group’s paypal account at Buckiecancergroup@yahoo.com. Those donating via this account are asked to state that the cash is specifically for the flyfishing fundraiser.
