THE fundraising team at the Countess of Chester Hospital is hoping money from this year’s Duck Race will pay for beds in the planned new baby unit.

They are urging people and businesses across the city to embrace the event, which traditionally draws huge crowds to the River Dee by the Groves.

It comes after plans were unveiled for the new £2.4 million neonatal unit following three years of fundraising for the Babygrow Appeal.

Lesley Woodhead, head of fundraising, told The Standard: “One of the differences from our original plans is the design of the unit to provide fully integrated care. A part of that is providing drop down beds near the incubators that can be folded away during the day but there for mum or dad to sleep on at night.

“They are much more comfortable than the chairs we currently have and will give mum or dad an experience as close to home as possible.

“It may be that parents are at home during the day caring for other siblings and then will spend the night in the unit doing the night feeds. Other recently built units are fitting beds retrospectively but we are aiming to do this as part of the build.”

The Chester Duck Race is now in its sixth year and has so far raised £107,000 for the Babygrow Appeal.

It will take place on Saturday, September 22, and will once again be sponsored by Hickory’s Smokehouse Chester and Puddle Ducks Chester, Wirral and North Wales.

The decorated corporate ducks will be on display from noon until 2pm and a host of activities will be available for the children.

The Corporate Ducks – which cost £220 to adopt - will take to the water first at 3pm followed closely by the Baby Ducks from the suspension bridge.

“Corporate Duck this year have been flying out fast,” said Hanna Clarke, corporate and events fundraising manager at The Countess Charity. “Companies adopting a duck get the choice of colour from blue, green, pink, red, green and yellow.”

There are lots of prizes to be won including ‘Facebook Favourite’, ‘Best Dressed’, ‘Celebrity Lookalike’, and ‘Fastest Duck’.

There is also an additional category for the ducks that have been decorated by a primary school or community children’s group year.

The fundraising team have contacts for a number of schools that would be happy to decorate ducks on behalf of companies that have adopted them.

Sykes Holiday Cottages have adopted a duck once again this year which Kelsall Primary School will be decorating for them.

Chief executive Graham Donoghue said: “The Chester Duck Race is always a joy to be involved in. It’s a fantastic day out for the whole family so I’d encourage everyone to head down to the event and support The Countess Charity!

“It is a cause that’s very close to the hearts of our staff and we’re very proud to be a part of the race this year.”

Ellis & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers have asked Mickle Trafford Primary School to take charge of their duck decorating.

Natalie Tomlinson, PR and marketing manager, said: “This is the first time we’ve been involved with the Chester Duck Race, I must admit we are all rather excited for the event.

“Our duck is away on his holidays at Mickle Trafford Primary School ready for his makeover after the summer holidays. We are very pleased to be supporting such a fantastic local event, and to help raise much needed funds for such a worthy cause.”

Baby Ducks are available for people to buy priced at £2 each and be in with the chance to win one of three cash prizes of £250, £150 and £100 thanks to Puddle Ducks Chester, Wirral and North Wales, with the first 10 baby ducks over the line also receiving a Venture Photography voucher.

Baby Ducks can be purchase online at www.eventbrite.co.uk by searching Chester Duck Race 2018, from the fundraising office at the Countess of Chester Hospital or on the day of the race down at the Groves.

For more details on the Duck Race and how to get involved contact Hanna Clarke on 01244 366 24 | hannaclarke@nhs.net