New angle on recovery

An international programme that helps breast cancer survivors recover by going fly fishing has come to New Zealand.

Casting for Recovery "offers women an opportunity to experience the peace and solitude and the chance to be in the moment that fly fishing provides".

Torbay fly fisher Franziska Wieland is organising a charity ramble through the Mincher Garden and Mahoenui Farm in Coatesville on Sunday, December 6.

It will raise funds for the first New Zealand Casting for Recovery clinic, to be held in Rotorua during February.

Ms Wieland had never picked up a rod until a family friend introduced her to fly fishing about 10 years ago.

"It gives me a sense of peace and freedom that you cannot beat," she says.

Ms Wieland, who is a lymphoedema and massage therapist, got involved with the Casting for Recovery programme during a chance meeting on a fishing trip to Rotorua.

She is now a director of the New Zealand branch which was formed in June this year.

Another director is Ken the fly fishing farmer, aka Lynda Topp.

The New Zealand branch was launched with a letter of support from Prime Minister John Key, who is a keen fly fisherman.

Mr Key wrote: "It’s great to see organisations like Casting For Recovery running innovative programmes that help breast cancer sufferers get better while teaching them one of the world’s most relaxing and rewarding pastimes.

"New Zealand is world-renowned for our trout fishing. Our sparkling rivers and lakes, our healthy trout fisheries, and our fantastic scenery complement our warm Kiwi hospitality and the wide range of facilities available for our visitors."

Sherrie Feickert is executive director of the New Zealand branch and says: "I am so delighted our prime minister has taken the time to see what Casting For Recovery is all about and found it to be a worthwhile programme."

All places for the Casting for Recovery Rotorua retreat have been filled.

Tickets for the garden ramble, which takes place from 11am to 4pm, cost $12. Gate sales are $15.

Tickets can be bought at Palmers Garden Centre, Browns Bay, Kings Plant Barn at Silverdale or Forrest Hill, and Mitre 10 Mega Albany, or by calling Franziska Wieland on 027-218-5434, Margaret Wallace on 021-2534-582 or Angela Spooner on 021-853-518.

For more information on CFR, visit www.castingfor recovery.org.

- © Fairfax NZ News