Larger donations are said to unlock prizes throughout the day
From left: Simon Smales from Smales Fisheries, Austen Dack from Chippy Chat Magazine, Bobby Joyce from Smales Fisheries, Andrew Crook from the National Federation of Fish Friers and Rhiannon Beeson from Sailors’ Children’s Society launching National Fish and Chip Day.(Image: Sailors Children’s Society)
A Hull fish merchant and a local charity have cooked up an enticing idea to raise money to support the children of seafarers. Smales Fisheries and Sailors’ Children’s Society are using National Fish and Chip Day to offer Queen’s Gardens visitors the chance to get fish and chips, free ice cream, lawn games and “plenty of seaside fun”.
On June 5, fish and chips will be available from 11:30am until 2pm at the Rose Bowl, with guests asked for a donation which will provide vital funds for children and families from seafaring backgrounds facing crisis. Mr Roberts Mobile Fish and Chips of Hull will be on hand to provide freshly cooked portions with bigger donations said to unlock prizes throughout the day.
There will be “limited-edition” chip forks and Hull’s famous chip spice. Top prizes at the event will include a two-night stay at Lavinia House in Whitby, along with a £100 voucher for a meal at The Fisherman’s Wife on Khyber Pass.
Other businesses are also supporting the fundraising effort with Chippy Chat Magazine and PG Chips donating potatoes, and ice cream provides by Hill Whippy. Wilson’s Seasonings will provide 300 tubs of chip spice to be given away too.
Bobby Joyce, sales and marketing director at Smales, said: “National Fish and Chip Day is always a brilliant opportunity to celebrate our industry, but more importantly, it’s about coming together to support families who need us most. We’re incredibly proud to continue supporting Sailors’ Children’s Society and the amazing work they do for seafaring families across the UK.
“The response from businesses over the last year has been fantastic and we’re excited to build on that momentum with another really special day in Hull.”
Smales has already raised more than £30,000 for Sailors’ Children’s Society which supports children and families connected to the fishing, offshore, Royal Navy and Merchant Navy industries who are facing financial hardship, bereavement or crisis. Its work includes Christmas campaigns that provide food vouchers to families who may face the choice between heating and eating during the winter months.
Rio Beeson, head of fundraising and marketing at Sailors’ Children’s Society, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to Smales for once again getting behind the charity and helping bring the fishing and maritime industries together to support our families. We are continuing to see demand increase across the families we support.
“The knock-on impact of UK fishing quotas continues to affect local trawler families, while rising energy and oil prices linked to global conflict are pushing household costs to levels many families simply cannot keep up with, particularly during an ongoing cost of living crisis. Events like this are so important because they not only raise vital funds, they also raise awareness of the challenges many seafaring families are currently facing.”
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