Ducks make a charity splash
WHITWORTH’S annual Duck Race took place on New Year’s Day, raising more than £1,000 to help leisure and tourism.
The ducks took to the water at the overflow of Cowm Reservoir.
In total more than 1,300 ducks were sponsored and around 400 people turned out on the day.
The ducks were launched at 1pm by Whitworth councillor David Chorlton, chair of the Tourism and Leisure Committee, with support from committee members Les Hirst and Mark Ambrose.
Numbered ducks, sponsored for £1, are entered into the race and those who have sponsored the first three ducks over the line - and the last one - get cash prizes.
The sponsor of the first duck won £100, with second and third prizes getting £75 and £50 respectively, and £10 for the last duck to waddle in.
The Duck Race is organised jointly between Whitworth Town Council’s Tourism and Leisure Committee and the Community Leisure Association of Whitworth (CLAW), and all proceeds go back into tourism and leisure events for the town organised by the two organisations.
Coun Chorlton said: “It was, as always, a fantastic event and one that really blew away the hangovers from the previous evening’s celebrations.
“This year the weather was a real blessing, it was nice to have a bright and dry race for once.
“Thanks to everyone who turned up on the day, and to all who sponsored a duck as this really helps us to continue running events and improving tourism in the community.”
Christine Ashcroft, a volunteer from CLAW, said: “Thanks also to all who managed the event, and also to those who sold the ducks at various shops, pubs and businesses in the town.
“The money raised at the 2017 duck race was spent improving and adding to the Christmas lights and the money raised this year will help us to continue to make improvements.
“We look forward to doing it all again in 2019.”