A Harrogate-based charity is £2,000 better off thanks to the staff, customers and ducks of a Nidderdale shopping outlet!
Disability Action Yorkshire was the chosen charity of the Darley Mill Centre’s annual duck race, which this year saw more than 1,000 yellow, plastic ducks being raced down the stream adjacent to the 17th century building.
In addition to the main event, there were a number of other activities to keep the customers and visitors entertained, including face painting, necklace making, foot massages and children’s games.
Ducking the Trend! Darley the Duck with (left) Darley Mill Centre’s Kirsteen Leventhal and Disability Action Yorkshire service user Eliza Bennett
One of the most popular attractions was a fire engine from nearby Summerbridge Fire Station, where children were able to sit in the cab and pretend to fight a blaze using the engine’s water hose.
Disability Yorkshire Action Yorkshire Chief Executive Jackie Snape said:
We are very grateful to the Darley Mill Centre for holding this event which will enable us to develop our services for disabled people.
The weather could have been a little kinder, but it failed to dampen the spirits of those who attended. I’d like to thank everyone who attended and purchased a duck for making it the financial success it was.
Darley Mill Centre owner Ross Leventhal, said:
This is our third annual duck race and the most successful to date. We were delighted to support Disability Action Yorkshire on this occasion and help raise valuable funds for them.
It was certainly the weather for ducks; the rain over the last few days ensured the race was a sprint rather than a marathon in terms of speed!
Disability Action Yorkshire is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for disabled people, enabling them to live the lifestyle of their choosing.
The Darley Mill Centre is part of the company which owns and runs the Yorkshire Linen Co and Linen Warehouse chain of shops.
It is situated on the edge of Harrogate, near Menwith Hill, and one of its most prominent features is its 27ft diameter water wheel, which was recently restored to full working condition.
