Annual duck race raises vital funds in memory of four-year-old from Wrexham

An annual duck race held in memory of a four-year-old from Wrexham has helped to raise vital funds for the hospice that cared for him.

Held at Pontblyddyn Cricket Club on Sunday 3 September, the memorial event is held each year by the Jones family of Wrexham whose son, Harry, died in 2005 after suffering a cardiac arrhythmia in his sleep.

Harry was just four years old, and after his death the family went to stay in the special Snowflake Suite at Hope House in Oswestry. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌‌‌​‍‌​‌​‌‌​​‍‌​​‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​​​‌‌​‍‌​‌​‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌​‌‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​​​‌‌​‍‌​‌‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​​‌‌​‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌​‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌​‌‌‌‍‌​​‌​‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​​‌​​‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​​‌‌​​

Young Eevee helps start one of the heats from the bridge

This year Harry’s Duck Race was attended by Wrexham’s Mayor, Andy Williams, who was on hand to start the fun as well as judge the dressed ducks.

On a beautifully sunny day the local community, who had generously purchased ducks, gathered to enjoy a tasty BBQ whilst raising a brilliant £2,500 towards funds for Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospices.

Julia Jones who organises the event alongside her family said: “What a fantastic day it was.

“I’d like to thank everybody who made it possible, my family and friends, the cricket club, Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith and the Mayor for attending.

Jones family members and helpers gather up the ducks for the next race

“A special thanks must also go to the local community and stall holders who come along and make it a fun day for all the family.

“We look forward to next year’s event already.”

Hope House and Ty Gobaith fundraiser Nicola Eyes, said: “We just love this event, it’s such great fun.

“We are very grateful to Julia and her family for hosting it and thank all the local community and businesses who get involved.

“Every penny raised will help us make a real difference to local children and families with our services.”