Let’s celebrate says South Queensferry fish & chip restaurant as it continues to raise money for Cash for Kids Holiday Hunger through “invisible” charity fish suppers!
As The Crab & Lobster Fish Shack in South Queensferry gets ready to mark its first anniversary, which fittingly falls on National Fish & Chip Day, Friday, the 5th of June, plans are already taking shape to make the day an extra special fundraiser for its adopted charity, Cash for Kids.
Owner, Bryan Coghill explained that the restaurant, together with sister business, Jack ‘O’ Bryan’s in Dunfermline, had been raising money for Cash for Kids since last June, with an initial donation of nearly £500 as a result of the launch event, and then another £2.5k before Christmas.
“This special day, which also happens to be our first anniversary, is an ideal opportunity to raise more money for Cash for Kids,” he said. “This time, we’re planning a special push on Cash for Kids Holiday Hunger Initiative which helps children and young people up to eighteen years who face food insecurity and lack access to free school meals, & other assistance, normally available in term time.
“We’re going to ask our customers if they would like to donate by “buying” an invisible fish supper. This can be done online through the Radio Forth Community Champions website where we are listed https://www.cashforkidsgive.co.uk/campaign/radio-forth-charity-champions/fundraisers/the-crab-and-lobster-fish-shack/. We’ll also have leaflets on the tables in the restaurant, with a special QR code that you can scan to donate. The link is live now, so you can get involved straight away,” said Bryan.
“As an additional incentive, everyone who donates will be entered into a prize draw to win two free fish suppers each month for a year,” he added.
Bryan is also looking to the organisers of National Fish & Chip Day, which recognises the significance and popularity of fish and chips in the UK, still the nation’s favourite dish, to get involved in the celebrations. And he’ll be calling in some flavours from a number of industry friends, including leading supplies such as KFE and Middleton Foods.
“We want to have a huge buzz in The Crab & Lobster Fish Shack all day on Friday 5th of June,” said Bryan Coghill. “It’s a day to celebrate how far we come in only our first year of operation, winning Restaurant of the Year at the Forth One Awards, and achieving a runner-up position in the prestigious National Fish & Chip Awards in London in February. Our top class suppliers have helped us get there, but not only that, we want them to help us raise money throughout the day for our adopted charity, Forth One’s Cash for Kids.”
Other highlights of the first year for The Crab & Lobster Fish Shack have been the community sponsorship of local football team, Kirkliston & South Queensferry Football Club 2009. The restaurant supplied branded strips to KSQ’s Galaxy and Rapids teams which compete in the SERYFA (South East Region Youth Football) League.
“We have invited some of the coaches and players from the team to come along on Friday 5th June and hold a goal scoring competition in the carpark, with the winner picking up free fish & chips for four.”
“It’s our pleasure to sponsor KSQ’s Galaxy & Rapids,” said Bryan. “We wanted to immediately become part of the local community here.”
In concluding that it had been “such a busy year, with lots going on to celebrate,” Bryan acknowledged that it had been really hard work bedding in as a new restaurant in the South Queensferry foodie scene.
In paying tribute to his team, which includes son Jack, wife Michelle, and daughter in law, Sarah, who all work in the business, Bryan said that the restaurant had more than fulfilled its potential in terms of the numbers of hungry diners fed seven days a week, with carryout trade very busy too.
“It’s a real team effort, and we wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said. “We’re so grateful to be celebrating our first year here in the Ferry. We constantly strive for excellence, elevating fish and chips through the finest Scottish fish and seafood we can obtain. We treat these ingredients with respect.”
“We’re a closeknit family all working together, which brings its challenges,” he said. “We also wish to thank all our staff members who have given their all in the past year.”
He finished by saying: “It’s onwards and upwards now. We plan to enter the Scottish Fish & Chip Awards next, and we want to have a second stab at the Restaurant of the Year in the National Fish & Chip Awards this year, having come so close in the Newcomer Category.”
“We are confident that in the past year we’ve certainly proved our slogan is true and that “Ye cannae beat a Crab & Lobster Fish Shack Fish Supper!”
The link to donate is https://www.cashforkidsgive.co.uk/campaign/radio-forth-charity-champions/fundraisers/the-crab-and-lobster-fish-shack/
Further details:
www.thecrabandlobsterfishshack.com
https://cashforkids.org.uk/grants/holiday-hunger
