AN AMAZING £16,000-plus has been raised for charity at a weekend carp fishing event, double the amount raised in any previous year.
The third annual fund-raiser was held at Frimley Pits in Surrey and to top the dosh going to a hospice the biggest carp at the venue was caught as well.
Charlie’s Mate, which weighed in at 49 lb 12 oz (pictured here), came out to Neil Mundy, who might have had some divine intervention as before the event he’s already pledged £850 in cash.
Organiser Les Bowers, a consultant with Mainline Baits, explained: “Interest this year has been greater than ever. It was a sell out with 65 anglers on the bank, plus friends and family, and I could have sold half as many tickets again.
“A good time was had by all including trips to the local hostelry and curry house for some and a BBQ for 200.”
Nice guy catches big one
Les continued: “A lot of good fish were caught from the off with a few 20s and a stunning common of 35 lb 9 oz to Ross Hunter, but to top them all, Neil Munday pulled out the venue’s biggest specimen at 49 lb 12 oz.
“It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy as the evening before at the auction he had bid £850 for a winter ticket on Pit 3.
“And while waiting for pictures of the fish to be taken his other rod screamed off with a stunning common of 29 lb-plus on the end. A great way to round off a successful weekend.
“People are already asking me about next year’s event and we have one or two ideas to make it even bigger,” he added.
The event has now raised over £25,000 in its three years of existence and all the money this year and last went to the charity Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care.
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