Fish, chips and bicycle clips, Mal's on a mission!

The owner of NI's Best Fish & Chip Shop, The Dolphin in County Tyrone is gearing up to help net £15,000 for the Fishermen's Mission by setting himself an epic charity cycle challenge - and he's calling for the public to give their support.
Pictured in Dungannon at the launch of Malachys Fish, Chips & Bicycle Clips UK Charity Cycle: (l-r) Lesley Hammond, Fishermens Mission Charity (NI); Cllr Trevor Wilson, Chair, Mid Ulster Council; Malachy Mallon, Dolphin Takeaway, Dungannon and Dr Lynne Gilmore, Seafish (NI).Pictured in Dungannon at the launch of Malachys Fish, Chips & Bicycle Clips UK Charity Cycle: (l-r) Lesley Hammond, Fishermens Mission Charity (NI); Cllr Trevor Wilson, Chair, Mid Ulster Council; Malachy Mallon, Dolphin Takeaway, Dungannon and Dr Lynne Gilmore, Seafish (NI).
Pictured in Dungannon at the launch of Malachys Fish, Chips & Bicycle Clips UK Charity Cycle: (l-r) Lesley Hammond, Fishermens Mission Charity (NI); Cllr Trevor Wilson, Chair, Mid Ulster Council; Malachy Mallon, Dolphin Takeaway, Dungannon and Dr Lynne Gilmore, Seafish (NI).

Malachy Mallon’s aptly named ‘Fish, Chips and 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 the award-winning Dolphin in Dungannon is no stranger to challenges, having scooped the Northern Ireland Regional Winner’s title in the Seafish National Fish & Chip Awards for the past two years running.

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As owner of 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 and Chip shop industry.

Speaking at the launch, Malachy Mallon said: “I’m passionate about cycling, about my industry and about helping support our brave, hardworking fishermen – without them there’d be no fish & chips, so it’s time to give something back. 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’s one of the lesser known charities but hopefully the cycle will help raise awareness of the fabulous work they do right across the UK.

“It will be a long and tough cycle 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 UK Top 10 shops again. I’m asking the public and everyone in the wider industry to rally together and give their support by donating or simply sharing my story to help me reach the £15k fundraising target for the Fishermen’s Mission – it’s an ambitious target but I believe it can be done.”

Lesley Hammond from the Fishermen’s Mission explained: “This is a mammoth undertaking but such a fantastic idea, congratulations and good luck to Malachy for his forthcoming UK cycle challenge. The Fishermen’s Mission is the only fishermen’s charity that provides emergency support alongside practical, financial, spiritual and emotional care, helping all fishermen, active or retired, 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.”

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Starting at the Dolphin in Dungannon at the end of May, Malachy will cycle for 19 consecutive days across Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.

Malachy added: “I’m humbled by the goodwill and encouragement I have already received from the public and the industry too and donations are starting to roll in already on my Justgiving page. Seafish UK, most of the UK 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. 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.”

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: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MalOnAMission, www.facebook.com/MalOnAMission/, www.twitter.com/MalOnAMission.

Mal’s route: The Dolphin Takeaway, Dungannon, Fochabers Fish Bar, Fochabers, Moray (Scotland), Millers Fish and Chips, Haxby, North Yorkshire (North East England), Hodgson’s Chippy, Lancaster, Lancashire (North West England), Hennighan’s Top Shop, Machynlleth, Powys (Wales), Oldswinford Fish and 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 and South East England), Finishing at Kingfisher Fish and Chips, Plympton, Plymouth (South West England), the UK Winner 2017 National Fish and Chip Awards