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All caterers selling fish – from mobile ‘chippies’ and independent take-ways to big brand chains, upmarket fish specialists and other restaurants – are invited to take part in this year’s Fish & Chip Feast, to raise funds for fishermen and other seafarers in need.
Organised by Seafarers UK, the leading charity for our maritime community, the Fish & Chip Feast takes place from Monday 10 October to Sunday 16 October. Participants can choose to raise funds for the whole week or just one day.
Business owners are being encouraged to ask customers to donate cash change in collection boxes or add a donation when paying a bill by card. Or they can simply donate a percentage of all fish sales during the week. One-off corporate donations, large or small, are also warmly welcomed.
Celebrity chef Mitch Tonks took part in the Fish & Chip Feast last year: ‘Fish is the lifeblood of our business and I think it is important we are all joined up in not forgetting the huge effort and risk that goes with catching it and bringing it ashore. The Seafarers UK charity does a great job in supporting so many of the amazing people in this industry and we’re really pleased to play a small part in helping.’
To request a free fundraising pack – donation box, window poster, bunting, balloons, etc - please phone 020 7932 5961 or email events@seafarers-uk.org
For more information please visit the website www.fishandchipfeast.org where all participating businesses will be promoted to customers looking to buy fish and chips to support seafarers in need. All donations will be acknowledged with a certificate for business owners to display in their premises.
Inshore and deep sea commercial fishing is the UK’s toughest and most dangerous civilian occupation. Fishermen are 115 times more likely to suffer a fatal accident than other workers. And life for the 50,000 retired fishermen and their dependants has its own hazards, with debt, inadequate pensions and scant savings meaning no respite from hardship once the fishing is over.
Seafarers UK supports 70 frontline charities that provide care and help for seafarers - including fishermen and their families - when they are most in need. Last year the charity paid grants of £2.5 million but had to turn down bids for the same amount again. Funds raised by the Fish & Chip Feast are expected to help make up a similar shortfall this year.
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