ANGLERS raised more than £10,000 for a cancer charity after being touched by an “amazing” cancer survivor’s experience.

Terry Howlings, who lives in Waltham Abbey, organised two days of fishing matches at Walthamstow Reservoirs.

Anglers from as far as Manchester came down to compete against each other while raising money for the Willow Foundation, a national charity that works with seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds to provide support and ‘special days’.

It was all inspired by Luke James, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when he was 22. He spoke about his intense chemotherapy sessions and how Willow helped him through his experience.

The fisherman gave £5,000 in donations and raffle prizes. The event raised another £6,000 in online donations and entry fees.

Terry, a British Gas engineer, said: “It’s such a great charity that does not just help people with cancer, but also those with other life threatening conditions. It was amazing to meet Luke and hear first - hand the impact a special day can have on a person and their loved ones.

“It was such a great weekend with lots of people with a shared love of fishing coming together and making new friendships. I have been blown away by their generosity.

Willow is a charity set up by former Arsenal goalkeeper, Bob Wilson in 1999. He founded it after his daughter, Anna, died of cancer, aged 31.