STAFF at a Barnard Castle chippy are hoping to cook up a whole load of cash for Sport Relief next month.
A week of activities is planned at the 149 Fish and Chip shop and restaurant, in Galgate, in the run up to Sport Relief on March 13.
The chippy is now part of the national Deep Blue Restaurants chain and front of house manager Mandy Bird said 149 Barnard Castle, along with the nine other eateries which make up the group’s northern region, had been challenged to support the biennial fundraiser.
“This actually all started with Children-in-Need last year, when our area manager asked if each of the shops could raise £50 so we could give £500.
“However, we raised £276.64 in Barney, which was fantastic – and he was taken aback.
“So now we have a new challenge for Sport Relief which we want to make our biggest fundraiser yet.”
Ms Bird said fundraising events during the run up to Sport Relief would include staff donning flippers and masks to sit in a chip barrel filled with porridge, a guess the number of peas in a jar competition, a hoola contest and an exercise bike marathon.
There will also be a raffle and activities will culminate on March 13 when all 15 members of staff at 149 Fish and Chips will dress up as their favourite sports personality.
“Some have offered to come in on their days off to take part in the activities while their colleagues are working at the same time.
Ms Bird said the fundraiser had captured the imagination of other businesses in the town.
“Normally, for fundraising we give away vouchers for fish and chips, but we wondered if the town and other businesses would help us out for this one and they have been absolutely brilliant, offering prizes of everything from hampers to hair cuts.
“We just want to say a massive thank-you as we don’t generally go out to look for support.”
