A partnership between Northumbrian Water and fishing tackle company Greys has raised £60,000 for international charity WaterAid, helping to save more than 4,000 lives in Africa and Asia.
News of this astounding catch comes at the start of Northumbrian Water’s new angling season at reservoirs across the North East.
The money has been raised by the partnership over the course of 12 years, with activities including the annual WaterAid Coarse Fishing Challenge, which takes place in August.
Additionally, a rainbow trout sweepstake, is once again being run at Kielder Water, Fontburn, Derwent, Grassholme and Scaling reservoirs. Specially tagged rainbow trout are stocked in these reservoirs and those who have joined an optional over-18s sweep, for a stake of only £1, stand a chance of winning up to £200 with a prize catch.
WaterAid is a global charity that aims to get safe water, sanitation and hygiene to everyone around the world by 2030, delivering services and infrastructure to make this possible.
Northumbrian Water’s 2017 fishing season opened on March 11, after a minimum of 12,000 fish were stocked into the company’s six premier fisheries; Derwent in County Durham; Fontburn and Kielder in Northumberland; Grassholme and Hury (fly-only) in Teesdale and Scaling on the edge of the North York Moors.
Throughout the season, a minimum of 80,000 fish will be stocked in those reservoirs this season with more than half of them from Northumbrian Water’s own fish farms in Northumberland and the Tees Valley.
Don Coe, Northumbrian Water’s Leisure Operations Manager – Waterside Parks, said: “It’s fantastic that our partnership with Greys has raised such an amazing amount of money for WaterAid. The work the charity does around the world, bringing clean water and sanitation to communities that previously had little or no access to these essential things is vital and we are proud to support them in this way.”
John Henderson, Sales Director at Greys, said: “What’s fantastic is that for 12 years we have had a great relationship with Northumbrian Water locally to support the Water Aid charity, which in that time has raised a fantastic £60,000. That £60,000 has helped more than 4,000 people get clean drinking water in Africa and Asia.”
Andrew Blakemore, Chairman of the Northumbrian WaterAid Committee, said: “Fundraising here in the North East for WaterAid comes in all forms, whether it is a special evening with Sir Ranulph Fiennes, such as the one we had earlier this year in Durham, or a contest among some of the region’s keenest anglers. Everyone has their way of getting involved and it is fantastic to see that people appreciate that we are fortunate to have clean water and good sanitation, and that they want to do something to ensure all people everywhere get the same.”
For details of fishing permits, prices, events and packages at Northumbrian Water’s reservoirs, visit www.nwwatersideparks.com