Duck Derby 2019

READY… STEADY… WADDLE! DUCK DERBY IS BACK!

Excitement levels soared as local children enjoyed a splashing good time at the annual Duck Derby at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex on Thursday 22nd August.

Children who attended the annual summer scheme had the opportunity to purchase and name a ‘lucky duck’ ahead of the quacking showdown in the Leisure Pool. All proceeds from the event were donated to the Mayor’s nominated charity, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.

Over 200 ducks made a splash along the Lazy River, all waddling to see who would be crowned ‘Top Duck’. Connor Timoney’s duck called Ducky no 1 proved to be the luckiest duck as it swam towards the finishing line in a record time to claim Gold. Second place was snapped up by Donald Duck owned by Eoin O’Loughlin, while Despicable Duck owned by Cameron Mitchell took 3rd place by a beak length. Fourth place was picked up by Lily Simmons with Daisy Duck and in fifth place Daniel Finney with Craigle Duck.

The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Alan Givan was delighted to welcome the children to the Duck Derby. He said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex for organising the event and the children for raising funds for my Mayoral Charity, the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.  I hope the children enjoyed the spirit of the Duck Derby and it proved to be a fun activity to celebrate the end of the school holidays.”

Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, Alderman James Tinsley added, “The Council has enjoyed another successful year of summer scheme programmes with over 2,000 children taking part in a range of activities at venues across Lisburn & Castlereagh.  The summer activity schemes not only provide valuable support to parents throughout July and August but they also give children the opportunity to try a new sport or activity which will hopefully see many take their first steps to a lifetime of physical activity.

“The Duck Derby is always an exciting conclusion to the summer scheme programme and I hope the children enjoyed the event and look forward to taking part in further activity schemes in the near future.”