An angling club is holding an event for a local mental health charity as a member says fishing saved his life.

Peatmoor Angling Club has teamed up with local mental health charity Ipsum to hold a fishing competition at Peatmoor Lagoon which will include a 48-hour carp fishing competition, marking the first time the lake has been night-fished since its inception 40 years ago.

The event, which has been backed by several big names in the world of fishing, is taking place over several days from August 16 to August 18 and will include a presentation and live raffle draw with over £3,000 worth of prizes up for grabs at the lakeside. 

The event had been planned prior to recent events that saw a woman having a mental health episode jumping into the lake on July 25. 

But Peatmoor Angling Club member Ted Rowe says that this incident has reiterated the need for a bigger spotlight on mental health. 

He said: "We will be raising money for a local charity called Ipsum Swindon who help people in and around our community with their Mental Health Issues.

"This is so prevalent right now with what sadly happened at the lake yesterday and I hope the person is getting the help and support they need."

A fundraising page for the event can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/team/fish4ipsum?utm_medium=team&utm_content=team%2Ffish4ipsum&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

Fellow member Michael Bromley, 48, has explained he wouldn't be here if it were not for fishing.

"I started fishing this lake as a junior when it was built in 1980. I was second second-best intermediate in the UK then because I was groomed and sexually abused I gave it up. I hid my abuse for over 30 years until Aug 2022."

Michael says he started fishing again after being diagnosed with complex PTSD to 'try and get his mental health back on track' and set himself challenges at the lake to force him to get out of the house and interact with the world. 

"Fishing has helped save my life," he said, "It gives me a reason to get out and the benefits of sitting amongst nature are outstanding.

"I was inspired by how much fishing and being in nature has helped so I started a campaign “Fishing 4 Mental Health Awareness Day”

Michael added that Ipsum, which the event aims to raise money for, was the organisation that helped him when he was feeling suicidal and at his lowest point.

"I still have a very long way in my recovery but helping other's mental health has become my passion."