A FLY fisherman and motorcyclist will attempt to catch a trout in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales in just 24 hours to thank the county charity that cared for his late mother.

Philip Clarke will make his first cast at dawn tomorrow at a fishery in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and hopes to have the first trout in his bag in time for the 7.30am ferry from Larne to Cairn Ryan.

Philip, whose mother, Rosamonde Langton from Shenmore near Madley, died two-and-a-half years ago from cancer, will then ride his 1200cc Triumph motorbike to Galloway, Wych Elm in Cumbria and Llandegla in North Wales, in aid of St Michael's Hospice.

Challenge

"As anyone who has had experience of hospices will know, the quality of care and compassion of the staff at St Michael's was incredible. I owe them a huge debt of gratitude, and this sponsored fish is my way of repaying it," said Philip, who hopes to raise £5,000.

He added: "I'm relishing the challenge, though I'll be relieved when I've landed that first Northern Irish fish. Everything depends on making that 7.30am ferry."

He has already received more than £2,000 in pledges. The money will be paid into a fund called Fishing to Fight Cancer and will be split between St Michael's Hospice and Cancer Research UK.

Philip would welcome more donations. Cheques should be made out to 'Fishing to Fight Cancer' and sent to Fishing to Fight Cancer, c/o South Avenue, Hurtspierpoint, West Sussex BN6 9QB.