Fishing and mental health charity Tackling Minds, which was behind the UK’s first NHS scheme to prescribe angling for anxiety and depression, has been honoured by King Charles.

The honorary ATA member won the King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the business equivalent of an MBE – for its work over the past five years.

Tackling Minds was founded by Dave Lyosn back in November 2020 after fishing helped him with his own recovery from years of anxiety and alcohol addiction.

He said: “I’m just ecstatic! I feel very, very proud of the group and all our volunteers. Now I’m thinking, ‘what to aim for next?’ This feels like the highest accolade we could have hoped for. I’m absolutely thrilled!”

With support from some of the trade and funding from the National Lottery, Rochdale Council and the Angling Trust, Tackling Minds, the not-for-profit group provides regular fishing sessions with qualified angling coaches trained to work with people in vulnerable situations, as well as support workers.

Among those sending him congratulations were TV celebrities Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse, who have championed the scheme since Dave appeared on their Gone Fishing show.

He is dedicating the award to Tackling Minds’ late ambassador Ricky Hatton, who lost his life to suicide last September.

Dave explained: “Ricky helped me in my worst times in 2020. He gave me so much encouragement and we became friends. He worked so hard to support others with their mental health. I just know how proud he would have been of me, the family, and the group.”