Ribchester duck race raises thousands for popular park

More than 2,800 ducks waddled their way down the Ribble. Pic credit: Blog Preston.

More than £4,000 was raised for the upkeep and maintenance of a popular park and play area.

Ribchester Playing Field Trust (RPFT) is the charity which manages and maintains the popular park at the heart of Ribchester village.

RPFT organises the annual duck race which takes place on the River Ribble in front of St Wilfrid’s primary school.

And Sunday’s (1 September) event saw large crowds dodge the rain to see more than 2,800 yellow ducks make their way down the rapids toward the finishing line.

This year also saw 25 ‘corporate ducks’ released into the river. Supported and sponsored by local businesses, this race was won by Cronshaw Electrical, which kindly donated the winnings back to the charity.

Dan Wilkinson, also know as DJ Curlew, entertained the crowd. Pic credit: Blog Preston.

RPFT chairman, Ben Briggs, said: “This is our most important fundraising event of the year and it was great to see so many people supporting the event.

“A huge thanks to all the people who bought tickets for the race and local businesses who supported the event, either by buying a duck for the corporate race or sponsoring prizes. Thanks also to Dan Wilkinson (DJ Curlew), who compered the event.

“Most importantly, thanks to all the committee members for their hard work throughout the year and to former chairman Tim Rainford who, alongside his wife Ann-Marie, remarkably sold more than £1,000-worth of tickets for the event.

“The park, which is known by locals as The Rec, is so well used by people from inside and outside the village and many assume it is supported by the council, which it is not. That is why fundraising events such as the duck race are critical to the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the play equipment and the space in general.”

If you use the park and would like to donate, please visit the RPFT JustGiving page.

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