THE fine weather saw crowds going quackers for Bradshaw’s annual duck race which smashed last year’s fundraising record.

Close to 800 people turned up today (Sunday) at the picturesque brook which runs alongside Bradshaw Cricket Club to support the event run by the Rotary Club of Turton.

And 12,000 plastic ducks were entered into the 60-metre race with the first 12 in each of three heats going forward to a 36-duck final. 

Raffle tickets costing £1 were sold in advance, corresponding to numbered yellow plastic ducks.

The winner of the £1,000 top prize was a Mr Hill with duck number 3771.

Rotary club officials Doug Farnworth and Ray Edge organised the event.

“It’s great for local charities,” said Mr Farnworth of the event which has been running for 20 years.

“The beauty of it is the organisations get the money up front from the sales of raffle tickets. It’s a no brainer, from a participation point of view.

“We are delighted we broke last year’s record of £8,500 — we raised £11,500 — and the weather was kind to us too.

“Two years ago, during that dreadful summer of 2012, it was totally washed out.

“It’s also a great advert for the town. It has drawn a lot of people in from outside Bolton.

“In the end, we were quite overwhelmed with lots of people coming in the last 15 minutes to see which duck won.”

 

Turton has been helped by main sponsors Height Vale Ltd which donated £500 to the event and Bolton-le-Moors rotary Club which helped by selling tickets at local supermarkets.

The event also included a free race for children aged below 12, which attracted 141 entries.

“It was a great day out for the families,” added Mr Farnworth.