A RIVERSIDE event to raise funds for a local hospice has been hailed as a quacking success.
St Richard’s Hospice annual Duck Race – which took place last Saturday, August 11 – raised a fabulous £2,840.
The event, which was sponsored by main sponsor Puddle Ducks and in association with Worcester Festival, took place along The River Severn in the heart of the city.
Those who took part were able to adopt their duck online or on the day at the quay side, thanks to a team of volunteers who helped out. Once the race began, there was much cheering as competition heated up for the individual waterfowl to cross the finishing line.
For the first time in its history, the race welcomed a host of companies who sponsored nine giant 32cm ducks. The companies involved were The Diglis House Hotel, Keystones Cocktail Bar, Hickory Smoke House, Give as You Live, Browns Restaurant, Waldrons Solicitors, Sienna X, Kitchen World and Bears Great Escape Ltd.
The beak-biting finale at the Cathedral saw giant duck Wiggy, from Waldrons Solicitors, being crowned the corporate winner. Wiggy was presented with a special trophy at the end of the race.
Jayne Sargeant, fund-raiser at St Richard’s Hospice said : “What a wonderful day we had on the river! Special thanks must go to Hereford and Worcester Fire Service for their fantastic support, providing two safety boats as well as promoting water safety during the event for our enthusiastic racers! Thanks also to Medi Events for first aid support and Gary Whenman for providing his voluntary photography services.”
All proceeds will go to St Richard’s Hospice to help fund the charity’s care of patients with life-limiting illnesses and support their families.
The Mayor of Worcester, Coun Jabba Riaz, attended on the day and helped start the race on the city bridge as the ducks headed towards the water.
“The event is always such an enjoyable occasion and we are delighted to have raised such worthwhile funds for our care. Thanks to all those who took part!,” Jayne said.
St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative and end of life care for patients living with life-limiting illnesses and supports their loved ones. Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,000 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
The hospice strives to provide the best medical, practical, emotional and social support they can to help people live life to the fullest, as independently as they can, for as long as they can. They care for people with a range of illnesses including heart failure, Parkinson’s, and motor neurone disease as well as cancer.
St Richard’s has launched the Build 2020 Appeal which aims to raise the final £1.4m needed to build a bigger hospice, enabling more patients and families to be cared for in Worcestershire.
The total cost for expanding and redeveloping the existing building in Wildwood Drive, Worcester, is £5.3m.
For more information about St Richard’s Hospice visit www.strichards.org.uk
