AN award-winning Oldswinford chippy welcomed cycling fish and chip shop boss Malachy Mallon who is on a mission to raise funds to help fishermen and their families.

The Northern Ireland based chip shop boss, owner of The Dolphin Takeaway, Dungannon, Co.Tyrone, which was voted Northern Ireland’s number one fish and chip shop in the National Fish and Chip Awards 2017, stopped off at Oldswinford Fish and Chips on Thursday June 1 as part of a 1,500-mile ‘Fish, Chips & Bicycle Clips’ fundraising adventure for the Fishermen's Mission.

Intrepid Malachy, aged 50, is cycling solo to each of the UK's top ten fish and chip shops to raise £15,000 for the the little-known charity which provides welfare and support to fishermen and their families.

Accompanied by an eye-catching charity support van, driven by a volunteer from the Fishermen’s Mission, the adventurous fish and chip shop boss greeted staff, customers and well-wishers at Stourbridge's award-winning Oldswinford Fish and Chips which was a finalist in this year's National Fish and Chip Awards.

He said of his mission: “Without our brave fishermen, there’d be no fish and chips.

"Fishing remains the most dangerous peacetime occupation in the UK; that’s why fishermen need support 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The Fishermen’s Mission depends on donations, they don’t receive government funding or lottery money."

And he urged fish and chip fans to think about the hardworking people who spend days or weeks at sea often in treacherous conditions next time they tuck into the nation's favourite dish.

He said he had been "bowled over by the fantastic public response as well as the amazing camaraderie and support from the fish and chip industry" - particularly those who pulled out all the stops to welcome him.

Zach Ioannou, co-owner of the top Hagley Road chippy, said: "We were delighted to be a part of Malachy's journey to all the top 10 UK fish and chip shops to support the Fishermen's Mission charity.

"As the winner for the Midlands, it's important for Oldswinford Fish and chips to support this charity and promote and encourage our customers to also support this charity.

"I think many of us take for granted the availability of fish, however, we have to remember people risk their lives and work in difficult conditions to enable us to enjoy our national dish of fish and chips."

To sponsor Malachy's fundraising efforts for the Fishermen's Mission go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MalOnAMission and use the hashtag #MalOnAMission to follow his progress on social media on the final days of his challenge which he’s expecting to complete on June 8.

For more on the Fishermen's Mission go to www.fishermensmission.org.uk