14-05-2025
Chippy marks 40 years and life of dad with hospice fundraiser
THE team who run a much-loved Carlisle chippy hope they've done their late father 'proud' after raising around £1,500 for Eden Valley Hospice.
On St George's Day (April 23), Fontanas Chip Shop donated the full proceeds from every portion of chips sold to the hospice, in honour and celebration of the family-run business reaching its 40th anniversary.
For the sisters who now run the shop, Samantha Dixon and Emma Ward, the milestone was 'bittersweet' however, coming just a few months after the death of their dad, Davy Foster, who established the London Road shop in 1985 and had also raised money for the hospice throughout his life.
Samantha Dixon and Emma Ward donate £1,465 to Eden Valley Hospice (Image: Supplied)
A total of £1,465 was raised from the event at the London Road chippy, with an additional £564 collected at Davy's funeral also benefiting Eden Valley Hospice.
"We are absolutely thrilled at the amount of money we have raised for the Eden Valley Hospice," Samantha said.
"Customers made a point of coming in on the day. Whilst ordering their food, customers were also putting money into the collection buckets!
"I think our dad would be so pleased with our effort, and I hope we've done him proud," she said.
Davy pictured during a similar fundraising event back in 2017 (Image: Supplied)
Davy, who passed away in December at the age of 81, was well-known throughout Carlisle.
In his younger years, the jazz pianist ran discos with his cousin Tommy at King's Hall and Gretna Hall before opening Carlisle institutions like Twisted Wheel, Pagoda, and Flops. He later went on to open one of the city's best-known vinyl shops, Pink Panther Records.
Vicki Lesley, fundraiser at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, said: "Thank you so much to the Fontanas team for raising an incredible £1465 as part of their 40th year anniversary celebrations - our mascot, Hospuss, enjoyed the celebrations too!
Hospuss outside Fontanas on London Road during 40th anniversary (Image: Supplied) "Their generosity will ensure that care and compassion can continue to be given to local people with a life-limiting condition as well as their family and friends.
"We rely on the support of the local community to ensure we are here to continue providing quality care to all those who need it. We are very grateful for their continued kindness and support."
