Trigg is a proud sponsor of Wish4Fish. This charity helps people with disabilities or mental unwellness to get out on the water and enjoy the freedom and pleasure of our ocean waters – the benefits we know very well, as mad keen boating and fishing folk ourselves. Recently, Marlene went out on the Wish4Fish boat for a morning to spend some time with the Wish4frish crew, Parafed Northland staff, and a group of very special children and their helpers/parents.
This boat is designed to take anyone fishing, from wheelchair users, blind and sight challenged, and those who have trouble walking. There’s a wheelchair lift to get on the boat and another lift to go up to the bridge, so everyone can get on board and perhaps even experience the thrill of driving the boat.
Marlene had a fun morning and shares a few recollections of the day.
“We motored out of Whangarei Harbour after a safety briefing from the skipper, into Bream Bay for a fish. It was raining and a little bit cool, but once we were in a good spot, the skipper dropped anchor, and it was all hands on deck to catch some fish. The crew that man the boat was fantastic. All the kids got a rod, and we helped get the bait down. It was awesome to see their faces as they started to catch and bring up fish. Many were too small to keep at the start, but the bigger fish soon arrived and found their way into the fish bin. Everyone had a ball. Some had never caught a fish before, and the smiles and laughter were wonderful to see and hear. By the end, everyone had caught a fish, and all the keepers were cleaned and bagged up. Every child got to take freshly caught fish home for dinner. I had a great time and look forward to doing it again next year.”