Dear………..

2012 is a hugely important year in the British calendar as we approach the Summer Olympic and indeed, Paralympic Games. For 4 disabled people it is also a hugely important year: It’s a year they have dreamed of for a long time and it will be their last competitive adventure together, as a Team.

I am referring to Team Reels on Wheels and their enormously inspiring undertaking to fish the 2012 World Carp Classic at Lake Bolsena, Italy. It’s a globally recognised competition with fantatstic promotional and marketing opportunities for all those involved and these 4 disabled anglers will be representing England and the disabled community in a gruelling 6 days, 5 nights non-stop fishing marathon.

Nick Rowe (founder of the not-for-profit organisation Reels on Wheels) and Jim Williams, best friend and staunch supporter of the above, will be fishing the competition. Nick (61 this year!), is a wheelchair user, suffering with osteo-arthritis throughout his joints, and a crumbling spine, who doesn’t recognise the word “can’t”. Jim (who will be 51 soon), suffers from acute organo-phosphate poisoning, which exhausts him and necessitates him taking oxygen with him on long trips.

They are allowed a runner (or assistant) each, due to their disabilities, so their back-up Team members are David Pooley, who suffers from cluster headaches (also known as “suicide headaches” as that’s their effect on the psyche), and finally Claire Pearce, (also an angler), who suffers from Fibromyalgia and uses a wheelchair when necessary. The entire team comprises anglers with various disablities, which makes them unique to the competition.

Last year, they fished the WCC in France at Lac de Madine and earned the respect, admiration and friendship of an international audience. This year they were invited back and admit that it will be their last epic trip to fish a competition on this scale – unless of course, they win! As Italy is considerably further from home than France, they need to raise more funds to cover the event. The costs of fuel, etc. have risen and they are looking for financial aid of £3,000.

The breakdown of this amount has been blogged by Nick Rowe himself, explaining where the funds will go and how they will be used. The “Buddy Bus” alone which is highly visible, will act as a mobile First Aid point, in the event that any of the Team are taken ill. It’s also somewhere for Claire and David to rest and/or cook; it will carry medication and supplies for the trip, including Jim’s oxygen cylinder and spares for tackle and wheelchairs! As you can probably appreciate, the planning to enable this trip is more like that of a military operation, but that’s what happens when Team ROW gets the bit between their teeth.

Their aim is simply to inspire and encourage people to follow their hearts and their dreams and not to let disability prevent them from taking part in life. Reels on Wheels was set up in 2007 to help encourage people who’d given up recreational pursuits like angling, through illness, disability or lack of mobility, to get back out again, by connecting them with “buddies” who would be willing to help carry their gear, land their fish, or simply share transport, etc. on a national scale.

It has developed into the most widely respected angling organisation of its kind, helping 100s of anglers and newcomers to enjoy a sport that all of the Team are passionate about. So, if you could help them out by funding this courageous adventure, they will proudly wear your T-shirts, sport your logo on the Buddy Bus, their tackle boxes, their caps and their cars, mention your name whenever they are chatting or being interviewed by TV and other media, and promote yourself or your company whenever an opportunity arises!

If you are unable to offer Team Reels on Wheels your financial support or a donation at this time, but you know someone who may be interested in helping them to achieve their goal, then please would you pass this letter on? Thanks very much for taking the time to read about it and if you’d like to discuss the mission further, please don’t hesitate to call or email us!

Yours truly,