Charity ducks beat the heat as Chester Duck Race raises more than £25,000

Scorching temperatures failed to ruffle any feathers as dozens of charity ducks took to the River Dee for Chester’s 12th annual Duck Race.

The popular event, held by The Countess Charity, took place on Saturday and raised more than £25,000 for the Extra Mile Appeal, funds that will help provide an additional ultrasound scanner at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.  

Strong winds at the start of the race briefly sent the ducks off course, but quick action from paddleboarders and Queen’s Park Chester Rowing Club helped guide them back in the right direction and safely towards the finish line at the bandstand. 

The race was attended by Lord Mayor Sherin Akhtar, who judged the Best Dressed Duck and Best Look‑a‑Likey Duck competitions alongside Trust chaplain Holly Torr.  

In total, 82 local businesses sponsored a duck, with 22 schools also taking part.  

Entertainment throughout the day included live commentary from Chester’s Dee Radio and local DJ Ian Gibbons, performances by the AmaSing Children’s Choir, and family activities like Hook a Duck, a duck quiz and face painting. 

Previous duck races organised by The Countess Charity have helped to fund vital hospital equipment, including an outdoor balcony for the Intensive Care Unit a balcony that gives seriously ill patients safe access to fresh air and natural light during recovery, and most recently, an advanced retinal imaging scanner, which means the Trust is able to offer clearer, wider and more detailed images of the back of the eye.

Emma Boylan, Digital Fundraiser at The Countess Charity, said: 

"We’re incredibly proud of the success of the Chester Duck Race and the amazing support shown by our community.  It was fantastic to see so many people come together along the river. A huge thank you to everyone who supported, sponsored a duck or volunteered their time.” 

To keep up to date with The Countess Charity’s activities, follow The Countess Charity on Facebook and Instagram.  

You can also follow the Countess of Chester Hospital’s main Facebook and Instagram pages for the latest hospital news and updates. 

Hickory’s was the main sponsor, while Admiral Taverns supported the event by sponsoring the raffle. 

About the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has three hospitals – The Countess of Chester Hospital, Ellesmere Port Hospital and Tarporley War Memorial Hospital – and provides services to 445,000 people a year from West Cheshire, Ellesmere Port, Neston and north Wales. Emergency care is provided to over 200 patients a day across the Emergency Department, Same Day Emergency Care facility and Urgent Treatment Centre with a dedicated Acute Frailty department to support more vulnerable patients.