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Carp fishing competition raises over £3,000

Published on 26 Sept 2024

Holdfast Training Services Ltd, who provide training support for the Corps of Royal Engineers, hosted its fifth annual ‘Carpers for Veterans Support’ fishing event at Oak Lakes Fisheries in Southminster between 20 and 22 September. 

Ex-Army Serviceman and event organiser, Mark, says:

“The event was once again a resounding success and we raised £3,190 for Blind Veterans UK. It always amazes me that this huge amount of money is raised by 18 blokes fishing!”
Group photograph of the Carpers for Veterans Support team and competitors all wearing their Blind Veterans UK t-shirts
Carpers for Veterans Support 2024 competitors

The majority of those taking part were serving Royal Engineers or veterans but there were also civilians. The eldest was 65 and the youngest 25. The group signed up to take part in the 48-hour competition which saw them fight it out to catch the five biggest carp.

As well as the bid to be crowned top angler, there was also an opportunity to hook a great prize in the weekend’s raffle and auction which local businesses had donated generously towards. 

Supporting our charity

Over the five years that the competition has been running, it has raised over £17,000 for our charity. Mark says:

“I served in the British Army for 30 years. I’m fortunate that I still have my health, but some people are not so lucky. Since leaving the services, I have become passionate about giving back. I feel immensely proud to be able to do something to help those who have lost their sight whether that was during service or later in life.

“Carp angling is a passion for me. I’m able to raise money for a worthwhile charity while doing something I enjoy. I take huge satisfaction when the group of anglers turn up and are buzzing to get started.”

A very special trophy

This year Mark and his angling partner Russ Stanley won the competition with a combined weight of 87lb and 2oz. It was rather apt that this was their year as they were presented with the inaugural Jennie Hammond Trophy. Mark says:

“Jennie, who sadly passed away last year, worked for Blind Veterans UK and had dedicated nearly 20 years of her life to supporting blind veterans in Essex and Hertfordshire. She had been involved with ‘Carpers for Veterans Support’ since we began supporting the charity in 2020, she was entirely selfless and nothing was ever too much trouble, she became an integral part of our team.
“Her loss was a huge loss to the event so in honour of Jennie, we now award the ‘Jennie Hammond Trophy’ to the winning pair. Jennie’s husband Roger attended the event to present us with the trophy and after his speech, there wasn’t a dry eye among us.”
Blind Veterans UK logo on the left, beside a gold silhouette of a carp with text above 'Carpers for Veterans Support' on the right, and text below 'Jennie Hammond Trophy'
Jennie Hammond trophy

Are you part of a group that would like to find out how your special interest or hobby could be used to raise money for our blind veterans? 

Email the Community Partnerships team to find out more

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