The E20 Fishing Club was established in East London by keen fisherman and a lifelong Eastender Mark Kennedy, who invested his savings in his idea to make fishing accessible to all and to bring the local community together
Although fishing is at the heart of all the charity's work (the core of our charitable work consists of members fishing with disabled children and injured military service personnel), E20 EastEnders Fishing Trust has branched out to provide a variety of services
We have recently upped sticks and moved to Poole and we are asking for your help!!!!
The club is looking for a boat we can hire or lease for the summer to take members out to go fishing, any old fishing gear or bikes that people would like to give the charity would also be greatly appreciated.
Longer term, we would love to aquire a small bit of land holdings which could serve as a base for the charity, so if you can help in any please get in touch with me, Mark on 07508 693 156
Promote healthy living and outdoor activities
Provide recreational activities for under-privileged children
Provide recreational activities for the wider community
Provide fishing activities for injured service personnel
Improve water quality and local environment to sustain and increase local fish stock and wildlife
Provide free education for local pupils and people of all fishing abilities and from any age, social or cultural group
The club provides free, organised angling trips for disabled children and injured military service personnel which include professional coaching. Learning to fish develops self-confidence and provides an opportunity to socialize in a relaxing environment. We accept self-referrals, so please write to us with your enquiries.
The Trust holds a full fishing licence and maintains two dedicated fishing areas: a River Lee stretch near the Old Ford Lock and a lake in Victoria Park. The trustees hold the status of River Bailiffs, which imparts on them the responsibility to monitor River Lee to ensure it is kept clean and safe for all users. To effectively carry out these duties, members of the trust liaise with the Canals and Rivers Trust and the Police as necessary
Recent campaigns by the trust saw wheelchair ramps for disabled anglers installed and a slipway built by LB Tower Hamlets. This not only ensured disabled access to River Lee, but also improved the traffic of the riverside, rendering safer a previously crime-ridden stretch.
Formerly a well-known spot for fishing, the area faced a lot of ground closures to make way for development, thereby excluding anglers from many parts of the River Lee in the East End. The first participatory sport in the UK, fishing is a social activity that is beneficial in reducing stress, increasing self-confidence and bringing different generations together
In order for everyone to have access to the benefits of fishing, wheelchair ramps are needed at the popular fishing spots in East London. There is also a demand for specialized equipment and inclusive organised fishing activities
Reduction in facilities for the boating community The last couple of years have seen the closure of many facilities used by the boating community, with the most recent closures in Victoria Park.
This leaves no place for waste disposal and drinking water refills, increasing pollution and discouraging cruising
Pollution of the River Lee Known as the most polluted river in the country, River Lee suffered its last spillage of toxic waste just this July when thousands of fish died as a result of being deprived of oxygen.
This is symbolic of a wider downward trend that has seen the drop in the fish population and an increase in water contaminants over the years
As a part of the Olympic legacy, East London has seen a lot of recent developments, most notably in the near vicinity of the Olympic Park.
This has created a need for unifying structures which would prevent the displacement of the old East End community and would facilitate cooperation between different groups operating in the area.