In 2016 Richard Rust travelled around the Country covering 1500 miles; fishing and raising £400 for Cancer Research. As the weather had not been at its best, fish were not biting and the energy was low, he decided to do something to raise the morale at the side of the lakes. Throwing his phone to a fellow fisherman and asking him to record, he stood up and started to dance, others joined in and the ‘Dancing Fishermen’ were born.
This year, Richard’s son and Onslow St Audrey’s student Thomas Rust will be packing up the van and heading out for the entire Summer Holidays, dancing and fishing in aid of CLIC Sargent. Richard told me that he cannot wait to spend this time with his son, however it isn’t just about the bond they will have…’Thomas is really having an input into all of the plans, he is helping map out routes and put together kit lists.’
When Richard was a child he learnt to fish with his own father who sadly passed away from Cancer, and it was because of this, and other family members who have also suffered that he wants to raise money for Cancer Charities. As he bursts into his own rendition of Whitney Houston’s Greatest Love of All, he told me that Children really are our future, and we are helping those by supporting CLIC Sargent who do not have the luxuries that we do.
Thomas told me that he wants to help save young lives, so that they will be able to experience the things that he can, he wants to be able to give them a better life. He also told me that he is looking forward to relaxing in the peace and quiet and fresh air.
To help their fund raising efforts, Thomas will be running around all of the lakes that they fish in, and is taking sponsorship for this. They have also promised that if they can raise £100 before they set off, Richard will sing a song which will be digitally recorded and made into a CD. If they can raise £150, Thomas will and if they make £200 they will do a duet. They are also selling CLIC Sargent badges for £1.
You can follow their journey via their Facebook Group – Dancing Fishermen / Fishing For Cancer where they will be posting updates before they set off and videos of their dancing/fishing/running during the summer holidays.
If you would like to help, you can see Thomas to sign his sponsorship form or purchase a badge or donate at their fundraising page – They also have asked that if anyone could help with the following to get in contact via their Facebook page of email: Fttackle@gmail.com
- Fishing Tent
- Beds
- Fishing cradle
- Bait
- Gas bottles
- Bags of pasta
- Pasta Mug Shots
- Sign Writing for van
The journey starts on Saturday 28th July at Rib Valley and continues via Essex, Kent, London, West Sussex, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Bath, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.
The Dancing Fisherman would love people to join them along their journey, however they request you join in the dancing!
We wish them the very best of luck and will be following them on their journey throughout the Summer.
