Fishing - Image provided by Neil Thomas

A scheme in Salford is offering children the opportunity to see just how rewarding and relaxing fishing can be. 

Five schools in Salford and Eccles have joined the Tackle Donation Scheme that has been running for 14 months.

The fishing scheme has been set up by Neil Thomas, 55, who believes that fishing can provide children with multiple benefits.

Neil currently works with 20 schools across the North West, and has helped more than 340 children.

He said: “Fishing can help with mental health, well being, stress relief; it can be calming, bring patience, focus, concentration, fresh air, tranquility and increases your vitamin D in take. It’s all good.”

Tackle Donation Scheme at work – Image provided by Neil Thomas

The Tackle Donation Scheme has also encouraged people to recycle their old fishing gear which Neil can pass on.

The scheme provides children with recycled fishing equipment, as a brand new set of fishing equipment can cost up to £300.

Neil continued: “For a kid to get set up £300 would be an average for them to get set up, they can get cheap equipment from Aldi put it isn’t good enough to help them properly.

“There’s always someone who’s got something, I receive things weekly. I go to the people’s houses who want to donate the stuff, so I can pick it up.”

Neil, who previously lived in Eccles, understands that it may be hard for a lot of Salford residents to afford a brand new set of equipment.

The scheme coaches between 100 and 120 children weekly and allows them to get out the house and experience something new.

Neil says: “It’s a great feeling to see the kids paired with the equipment and enjoying themselves.”

The scheme has brought Neil to work with high schools, as well as primary schools, as he hopes to have reached 1000 children through the scheme.

As he expressed: “Getting to 1000, that’s on my mind. If I’m gonna do it I want to do it big.”

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