Mallon Mallon, owner of the award-winning Dolphin Takeaway, Co Tyrone is aiming to net £15,000 for the Fishermen’s Mission by setting himself an epic charity cycle challenge - and he’s calling for the whole Fish & Chip shop industry to give their support.

Malachy’s aptly named ‘Fish, Chips & Bicycle Clips’ UK Cycle Challenge is now officially launched and this summer he will become the first person ever to cycle to all the UK Top 10 Fish & Chip shops. He aims to cover the 1500 mile route in less than three weeks and hopes to raise £10 pounds for every mile cycled.

The 50 year old owner of Northern Ireland’s Best Fish & Chip Shop is no stranger to challenges, having scooped the NI Regional Winner title in the Seafish National Fish & Chip Awards for the past two years running.

As one of the UK Top 10 shops, he is now using his success to raise awareness and funds for the Fishermen’s Mission as well as supporting the Fish & Chip shop industry.

Speaking at the recent cycle launch, Malachy Mallon said,

"I^m passionate about cycling, about the fish & chips industry and about helping support our brave, hardworking fishermen – without them there’d be no Fish & Chips. Fishing is the most dangerous peacetime occupation in the UK and fishermen need our support 24 hours a day, every day of the year, that’s why I’m cycling for the Fishermen’s Mission.

"It will be a tough challenge with plenty of hilly terrain, busy roads and unpredictable weather but I’m up for it and I’m very excited to see my friends at the Top 10 shops again. I’m asking everyone in the industry to rally together and give their support in whatever way they can to help me reach the £15k fundraising target – it’s an ambitious target but I believe it can be done.”

Malachy added,

"Seafish UK, most of the Top 10 shops and a number of other key industry players have already expressed their support and I’m confident there will many more in the coming weeks. I’m humbled by the goodwill and encouragement I have already received. My charity cycle is also a fabulous opportunity to showcase all that is great and good about the fish and chip industry and to take a positive, healthy message for the nation’s favourite dish on the road right across the UK.”

Starting at the Dolphin in Dungannon at the end of May, Malachy will cycle for nineteen consecutive days across Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales and his route is as follows;

• The Dolphin Takeaway, Dungannon, County Tyrone, (Northern Ireland)
• Fochabers Fish Bar, Fochabers, Moray (Scotland)
• Millers Fish & Chips, Haxby, North Yorkshire (North East England)
• Hodgson^s Chippy, Lancaster, Lancashire (North West England)
• Hennighan^s Top Shop, Machynlleth, Powys (Wales)
• Oldswinford Fish & Chips, Dudley, Stourbridge (Midlands)
• Burton Road Chippy, Lincoln, Lincolnshire (Eastern England)
• Godfrey^s Fish and Chips, Harpenden, Hertfordshire (Central and South England)
• Henley^s of Wivenhoe, Wivenhoe, Colchester (London & South East England)
• Finishing at Kingfisher Fish and Chips, Plympton, Plymouth (South West England) - the UK Winner 2017 National Fish & Chip Awards

Lesley Hammond from the Fishermen’s Mission said,

"This is a mammoth undertaking and such a fantastic idea, congratulations and good luck to Malachy for his forthcoming cycle challenge. The Fishermen’s Missionis the only fishermen’scharitythat provides emergency support alongside practical, financial, spiritual and emotional care,helping all fishermen, active orretired, and their families. Fundraising helps the Fishermen’s Mission carry out our vital work in the UK and we are very grateful for the support.”

Malachy’s ‘Fish, Chips & Bicycle Clips’ UK Cycle Challenge fundraising campaign is now underway on social media with all donations going directly to the Fishermen’s Mission.

Please Make a Donation, Follow Malachy’s Journey, Share his Story:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MalOnAMission
www.facebook.com/MalOnAMission/

www.twitter.com/MalOnAMission

#MalOnAMission
#FishChipsBicycleClips