Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary Club reveal duck race winners

One was the traditional yellow duck race featuring over 5,000 ducks and the second a business duck race involving 100 red ducks, competing for separate prizes.

In the yellow duck race number 1355 brought home the winning £200 prize for Stacey Hanson, of Skipton. Stacey, her daughter Erin and son Oliver are members of the LS29 group – a local charity supporting families with children who have special needs – and Stacey was delighted, saying that the LS29 group were organising a short holiday at Centre Parcs and the prize would really help with the costs for her family.

The other winners were: 2nd duck 1625 £100 David Atkinson, of Ilkley; 3rd duck 3198 £75 Janet Ainsty of Ilkley; 4th duck 1213 £50 Ken Whittington, of Ilkley; 5th duck 1407 £50 Derek Whiteley, of Menston and 6th duck 3840 £50 John Hope, of Ilkley.

Hundreds watched as the ducks were launched into the River Wharfe at 2.30pm by club duckmaster Glen Berry, assisted by a team of Air Cadets. Club finish line co-ordinator Dan Bown organised the recovery of every single duck, assisted by volunteers.

“We had a very generous sponsor this year in VacEx No Dig Excavation Specialists,” said Rotary treasurer Chris Jones. “With their sponsorship and the thousands of people who bought tickets we were able to raise almost £10,000 from the yellow ducks alone."

Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary co-chairman Peter Mate, assisted by Ilkley BID and Ilkley Business Forum, approached local businesses to buy a ticket in the business red duck race at £50 a duck.

RDC Solicitors, winners of the red duck race (Image: submitted)

First prize of a Jeroboam of Champagne (sponsored by Ilkley BID) went to RDC Solicitors of New Brook Street; second prize of a Fizz and Nibbles reception in the Ticket Office (sponsored by Ilkley Business Forum) went to TaxAssist Accountants of Leeds Rd and third prize of a Magnum of Champagne (sponsored by Majestic Wines) went to Court Computers, of Church St.

Tax Assist, red duck race runners up (Image: submitted)

“This was the first time we have run the red duck race,” said Peter “and we were very pleased with the response – all 100 red ducks were sold – and we have netted almost £4,500 from the red duck race alone. We give our heartfelt thanks to the businesses who bought ducks, and our sponsors who enabled us to carry out the whole event.”

Court Computers, who won third place in the red duck race (Image: submitted)

The club has raised over £14,000 and will be organising and publicising donations to local charities as soon as the accounts are finalised.

“This is our biggest fund raising event,” said Rotary co-chairman Jo Jarvis. “We had 25 Rotarians and 15 other helpers on the day - we thank every one of them, and the thousands of people who bought tickets.”

The parade float carrying King Duck in Duckingham Palace (Image: submitted)

“We were also really pleased with our Parade Trailer carrying King Duck in Duckingham Palace,” said Peter Mate. “I think it set the tone for what we thought was a very successful and fun event for the public to enjoy as well as raising valuable funds for local charities. Thanks to everyone and we look forward to next year.”