Shoppers in Wrexham went absolutely quackers by splashing out £300 for a local children’s charity.
The Erddig Rotary Club teamed up with Dynamic, a centre for children and young people with disabilities, to run its third annual day of fun duck races down the water feature on the Spanish Steps at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre.
There were 13 races throughout the day with each race involving 20 numbered ducks costing a minimum of a £1.
And 13 was a lucky figure for Dynamic, which will now receive about £300 to benefit the 100 or so local children it supports – beating the total raised during last year’s race.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Wrexham, Cllr David Bithell MBE and his wife, Virginia, dropped by to watch some of the action during the afternoon.
Cllr Bithell was delighted to see so many people enjoying a fun event while raising money for such a deserving local cause.
He said: “I am very glad to see so many people here today to support Dynamic which is an important local charity and a very worthwhile cause.
“It’s also fantastic to see Erddig Rotary members working so hard on the event and I know everyone is grateful for the kind co-operation and support of Eagles Meadow.”
Erddig Rotary Club member and chairman of Dynamic, Dr Graham Arthurs, said he was grateful for the support shown by Eagles Meadow customers.
He said: “We had a great day a managed to sell enough ducks for 13 races.
“Once again, shoppers have been so generous and kept things very busy for the 20 or so Erddig Rotary members who came along to help.
“Last year, it was raining on the day of the races but this time the weather has been kind to us and all this means we’ve raised about £300 for Dynamic, which does such a marvellous job for local children. Now the planning starts for next year’s races.”
One of the first competitors to sign up for the races was two-year-old Dewi Smith from Ffrith who was at Eagles Meadow with his mum Sian.
Sian said: “We were out shopping in the centre for a school uniform ready for when Dewi starts at Abermorddu School in Caergwrle next month.
“Dewi saw the ducks and just had to take part in the races. Unfortunately, his duck didn’t win but he did have a great time watching it go down the water feature.
Dewi himself said: “It’s been good and my duck was like the one I have in the bath at home.”
Another keen competitor, whose duck put in an excellent showing in a later race, was four-year-old William Quigley who is currently on holiday in the UK from his home in Toronto, Canada, and staying with his grandfather Viv Reeves in Wrexham.
Viv said: “We were just passing by and saw all the action and William was keen to take part. He really enjoyed himself.”
Another enthusiastic racer was six-year-old Findlay Thomas-Bradbury from Penley who was at Eagles Meadow with his mum, Cheryl Thomas.
He said: “I saw all the ducks and just wanted to have a go. I think it was great.”
Dynamic’s manager, Carol Gardner, said the charity provides out of school activities for young people with special needs and the £300 boost from the Eagles Meadow duck races will be very welcome.
She said: “I’m thrilled with the support of both Eagles Meadow and Wrexham Erddig Rotary Club in organising and staging this fun event.
“I’d also like to say a big thank you to some of the shops and other businesses in Eagles Meadow, including Debenhams, which sponsored the races and gave us prizes such as cosmetic boxes and lunches and teas for two, Mococo which donated a bracelet, and Jones’ fish and chip shop which donated a meal for two.
“The 100 or so children we help have a range of disabilities from physical, intellectual or sensory impairments and emotional problems to life-limiting illnesses.
“We would like to help more children but desperately need more space and, of course, a higher level of finance if we are to achieve our goal.”
Carol added: “Supported by Social Services, Health Service staff and volunteers, Dynamic works in partnership with statutory agencies, the voluntary sector and the community.
“The aim is to provide a lively, safe and just environment in which children and young people with special needs, their carers, families and friends can benefit from an enhanced quality of life and the young people be empowered to help themselves.”
Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley said: “Eagles Meadow is at the heart of the community in Wrexham and we were only too pleased to be able to once again support this extremely important local children’s charity.”
