Portsmouth & District anglers raise £3,500 to help young Finlay

Stephen Foster presents a cheque for £3,500 to Finlay Montague and his mum Nicola.

The Portsmouth and District Angling Society has a long tradition of raising funds for local charities or good causes.

It does this by staging four memorial matches, run by club treasurer Ian Snook, and a 24-hour carp/charity social match organised by Stephen Foster.

All matches are held at the Society’s Lakeside North Harbour fishery because of its capacity of nearly 50 pegs.

Foster said: ‘This year looked as though it might be a disaster when the first lockdown was announced in March, but as restrictions were eased we were able to stage all of our regular charity matches.

‘There was a good turnout for all the matches, and although the barbecue that normally starts the 24-hour event had to be cancelled we were able to sell raffle tickets and thereby raise a goodly sum.

‘Local tackle dealers and a host of individuals donated prizes: their generosity in this difficult year was greatly appreciated.’

The Society’s nominated cause for 2020 was Finlay Montague, a six-year-old born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and who needs round the clock care.

The monies raised will help fund a sensory space in the family home, for entertainment as well as providing aural and visual stimulation.

Foster presented Finlay and his mum Nicola with a cheque for £3,500.