Tackle retail giant Angling Direct has launched the AD Community Fund, an initiative that underscores its commitment to supporting the angling community across the UK.

Through this fund, the ATA member aims to protect, nurture and grow the sport, ensuring it thrives for generations to come.

The project will provide funding to those who create new opportunities for people to enjoy fishing, will help protect and restore fish and fisheries, promote environmental improvements, replenish venues that serve the community through improving access and general venue maintenance including platforms, disabled swims and otter fencing and boost wellbeing schemes.

To kickstart this initiative, the company is pledging at least five per cent of the revenue from its AD Win competitions website to the fund. Furthermore, to ensure the fund makes an immediate impact in the first year, it will be supporting projects such as the Angling Trust’s “Anglers Against Pollution” campaign and backing key partnerships with organisations like Tackling Minds, the Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme (ANLRS) and the Angling Trust’s “Get Fishing” campaign.

Looking ahead, from 2026 it will open grant applications, allowing fishing clubs, charitable organisations and local communities to apply for support in driving impactful projects across all aspects of fishing from our core funding themes, that will help benefit the angling community at every level.

Angling Direct’s commercial director, Phil Cheadle, explained: “Angling has always been more than a hobby, it’s a community united by a passion for being outdoors, living in the moment and creating lasting memories with friends and family.

“The AD Community Fund represents a positive change, focusing on pressing issues at every level but will also provide simple solutions to greater participation and provide a support network, needed for those making a positive impact in angling.

“We aim to make an impact through four funding themes, which aim to cover all aspects of angling ensuring the fishing experience for both current and new anglers is enhanced.”

To help maximise the impact of this launch, the trade is being urged to support the announcements on Angling Direct’s social media channels, whether by commenting, sharing or otherwise interacting with our social posts.

Phil added: “Additionally, we would be grateful if you could feature the announcement on your company’s own social media platforms to extend its visibility both within and beyond the fishing community.”