The community came together to remember one of their own and have fun raising an impressive £3,312.

On Sunday 1st September at Pontblyddyn Cricket Club, a good crowd gathered for the annual Harry’s Duck Race.

The memorial event and fun day is hosted by the Jones family of Wrexham whose son, Harry, died in 2005 after suffering a cardiac arrhythmia in his sleep.

Harry was just four years old.

Harry's mum Julia Jones, Wrexham Mayor Beryl Blackmore and fundraiser Bethan Young

Attended by Wrexham Mayor, Beryl Blackmore, the day saw hundreds of yellow ducks race down a small stretch of the River Alyn in a series of heats followed by a final.

There was also a fancy dress competition for larger ducks.

Revellers enjoyed the races, a raffle, stalls, BBQ, bar, face painting for the kids and other games all to help raise funds for our hospices.

Just a few of the very creative fancy dress ducks

A special place

After Harry’s death, the Jones family came to stay in the Snowflake Suite at our Oswestry site. 

The Snowflake Suite is a dedicated bedroom, lounge and private garden where families can say goodbye to their children after they have died, in their own time and in their own way. The family also accessed bereavement counselling through the hospice.

Mum, Julia Jones said: “We are so grateful to everybody who came out to enjoy the day, raise money for this wonderful cause and help us remember our precious Harry.

“A huge thank you goes to all our kind sponsors and the Mayor for coming to officiate proceedings.

“It was a lovely afternoon and very well supported.”

Children enjoyed face painting, games and plenty of treats

Great community spirit

Our Wrexham area fundraiser, Bethan Young said: “What a great day and turn out from the local community.

“It was so much fun and great to see so many happy faces and the standard of fancy dress on the big ducks was incredible.

“Our thanks go to Julia and family for their continued support and to everybody who bought ducks for the races and took part in all the games.

“See you next year.”

More pictures

Smiling faces were all around at a great community event

This year's youngest winner with her father

...and they're off! In go the first load of ducks

This young lady even brought her own cuddly duck along to the day