Foreign royalty has chipped in to serve up a fundraising boost for a Fife charity.
Who knew that when Anstruther mobile chippy boss Murray Cameron cashed in his chips in Monaco last year, it would net a bumper catch for an East Neuk organisation celebrating its silver anniversary.
It was no wind-up when Prince Albert of Monaco called on a long-distance takeaway from Murray and his wife Irene.
In fact he had been selected to supply fish suppers at a prestigious whisky convention in Monte Carlo.
After taking Murray’s Chippy van on a slightly longer run than normal, they served up a portion of the Scottish treat to the prince himself and we can reveal he favoured proper chippy brown sauce over ketchup.
Not only did the Scottish delicacy go down such a storm that Murray’s Chippy is giving the prince second helpings by being invited to take part in the event again this year but, in appreciation of their mega meal run, the principality’s head presented the couple with a limited edition painting, Bannockburn, by wildlife artist Spencer Hodge.
The print, which the prince signed, is number two of only 10 produced. When given the print, Murray asked if it would be all right to gift it to raise funds.
“Once he knew we were auctioning it for charity, he thought if he signed it it would perhaps bring in a bit more,” said Murray.
The print is now one of the star auction lots at the sell-out 25th anniversary dinner of the East Neuk Wheelchair Appeal next month.
The charity’s Eleanor Bowman was thrilled and said of the print: “We are privileged to have it. Whatever we get for it is a bonus. You cannot put a price on these things.
“Whatever is raised will help us to do what we do give wheelchairs.”
During its 25 years, the appeal has raised more than £500,000 and given out 119 powered wheelchairs and scooters and 35 manual chairs.