A popular fish and chip company is making a grand gesture to a Lincoln couple after announcing The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal as its charity of the year.

The Elite Fish and Chip Company has chosen the Poppy Appeal as its charitable focus for 2016, the year when the ‘Poppies: Wave’ sculpture comes to Lincoln Castle.

When they heard that ‘Banana Man’ David Moulds and his wife Michaela from Welton are tackling the London Marathon in April, Elite agreed to sponsor the couple £1,000 to boost their fundraising for the Poppy Appeal. In previous marathons, David has donned a banana man costume but this year he is hoping to wear a poppy outfit.

Rachel Tweedale, from The Elite Fish and Chip Company, said: “We’re very pleased to sponsor David and Michaela and wish them all the best for the London Marathon. David’s poppy outfit might be more comfortable than the banana man costume!

“We’re issuing a rallying call to our loyal customers across Lincolnshire and beyond to encourage them to donate to the Poppy Appeal. Official collection tins in the shape of a poppy have taken pride of place in our restaurant and takeaway outlets in Lincoln, Ruskington and Sleaford. The tins are well designed and quite eye-catching.”

Rachel added: “At all of our restaurants and takeaways, we always have 10% discount for all military personnel.”

The marathon on 24th April will be David’s fifth London Marathon and Michaela’s fourth, and their fundraising over the years has raised around £5,000 for charities including St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, Children with Cancer UK, and North West Cancer Research.

David, who will turn 51 the day after the London Marathon, has seven years of service in the RAF and is now a civilian aircraft engineer.

He said: “We thank The Elite Fish and Chip Company for their support and are pleased to be raising money for The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal as it’s a cause that is close to our hearts. My parents were both members of The Royal British Legion’s Radcliffe-on-Trent club in Nottinghamshire, and Michaela grew up with her parents in the Forces.”

Michaela, 48 and a dental practice manager at the Lincoln Smile Centre, said: “The Poppy Appeal helps the Royal British Legion to provide thousands of modern veterans, service men, service women and their families with vital advice and support. The poppy is worn for the memory of the fallen and for the future of the living.”

Across 2016, The Elite Fish and Chip Company is set to host several events to raise money for The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, including a 1940s vintage event starring Lincolnshire-based professional singer Heather Marie at its Sleaford restaurant on Armed Forces Day, Saturday 25th June.

Last year, The Elite funded and organised a trip to Norway for Arthur Harrison and members of his family to visit the grave of his brother Edward for the first time. Edward was killed in action during the Second World War, in April 1940. War veteran Arthur, aged 91 and from Lincoln, visited his brother’s grave at Trondheim Stavne Cemetery.

Ends

Notes to editors:

The Elite Fish and Chip Company
• The Elite Fish and Chip Company has three restaurants and takeaways: Lincoln, Ruskington and Sleaford.
• It has been serving the finest fish and chips for more than 40 years.
• It is a family-owned business in its third generation of friers.
• The Elite Fish and Chip Company won the National Fish and Chip Shop of the Year in 1992.
• Follow The Elite Fish and Chip Company on Twitter @chippyelite

For media information please contact:
Jonny Hall
Shooting Star
01522 528540
jonny@weareshootingstar.co.uk
[Elite27RoyalBritishLegion]