EASTER Monday’s non-stop rain provided the perfect weather for duck racing in aid of charity.

The Elvington Brownie group, run by leader Cheryl Nicholas Watling, decided to help support Guide Dogs for the Blind and Hearing Dogs following visits by local handlers at the end of last year.

In spite of the weather, the event was a huge success, drawing a crowd of around 100, and the girls raised £1,125, which will be split equally between the two charities and Elvington 1st Brownies.

The girls made posters to advertise the event and garnered sponsorship for the ducks - plastic not real - with a prize of an Easter egg for each race winner.

Mrs Watling said: “I contacted lots of local businesses for donations for a raffle and a tombola. Many of them are small family-

run concerns, but their generosity was absolutely amazing.

“We also had a lot of support from larger concerns which made for a brilliant raffle.”

In addition to the duck racing, there were also stalls selling home-baked cakes, scones and biscuits, made by the girls and their parents, and an Easter bonnet competition.

Mrs Watling said: “We are very lucky, every single one of our girls put their heart and soul into this.

“I would like to think that we could do something annually, there are so many worthy charities and it’s amazing what we have achieved given it’s just a small group.”