I took up fly fishing in my 50's, and would love to see more women take up and enjoy this wonderful sport. It is a joy to wade into a beautiful river and to feel part of nature, not just an observer. But it is shocking to know that the North Atlantic salmon may disappear from our rivers within the next 20 years. Their numbers have declined by two thirds in the last 40 years, as they have suffered catastrophic losses at sea. 

And increasing river temperatures are seriously affecting the upper catchment areas, making streams uninhabitable for juvenile salmon. The River Dee Trust's ambitious project to plant native trees along the river banks in the upper catchment, will lower the water temperature in these important salmon nursery streams, as well as providing vital food and nutrients, help to reduce water runoff and flood levels, AND reduce our carbon footprint. 

Time is running out for the salmon, as well as for other species that live in our rivers. This tree planting scheme will not be the answer to every challenge, but will go a long way to help redress the balance of nature. My target is also ambitious, but £2,000 will fund the planting of over a thousand native trees, along a currently barren stretch of river catchment.

Although I am now in my mid 60's, with a dodgy back, arthritic knees and bursitis in my hip - I enthusiastically take on this 24 hour fishing challenge. And if you are reading this, please sponsor me for as much as you can. I'll fish, you provide some funding, they'll plant the trees!

33 keen anglers will fish the beautiful River Dee for 24 hours in teams of 3 , over a midsummer night this June, in support of our habitat , conservation and education projects to protect the iconic wild Atlantic Salmon for the future. It will be a great challenge, completely exhausting -  and a lot of fun!