Hundreds set to attend duck race in memory of four-year-old Wrexham boy

Harry’s Duck Race will be held at Pontblyddn Cricket Club on Sunday, August 12th in memory of Harry Jones, of Wrexham, who died in his sleep aged just four in September 2005, and will raise funds for Hope House Children’s Hospices.

And has Harry’s twin brother, Charlie, now 17, had a kidney transplant after suffering renal failure in 2013, the monies raised will be shared with the Kidney Research Fund at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Julia Jones says the family have organised a duck race in memory of her son and to raise funds for Hope House every year since Harry’s tragic and unexpected death but this is the first year the fun event will be held at Pontblyddn Cricket Club.

She said: “After Harry passed away we wanted to do something, an annual event his friends from Borras Park School, where he and Charlie attended, could enjoy.

“Borras infants school used to do an annual duck race so we decided to do a teddy walk and duck race of our own which Harry's friends could take part in and enjoy the fun which Harry would have loved. We’ve carried that on every year since.

“It’s been a fantastic way to raise funds and over the years the event, along with other fundraising, means we have raised in excess of £50,000 for Hope House which we, as a family, are proud of.”

Julia, who works as sales administrator for Marlin Industries, says the help and support she and Harry’s dad Jeff, who works at Airbus as a paint sprayer, received from Hope House after their son’s passing has meant a great deal as they try and come to terms with their loss.

She said: “No one expects to lose a child. Harry just went to sleep one day and never woke up. He was a four-year-old twin boy who was full of energy and life.

“The cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia, a heart condition that had gone unnoticed and undiagnosed.

“Harry was a real character, full of mischief and much older in his ways than his four years. In fact that’s perhaps what I miss the most - his fun loving personality. He was always up to something.

“We couldn’t stand the thought of Harry lying in a hospital mortuary after he passed away and were so grateful Hope House Hospice allowed him to rest in their special Snowflake Room.

“Thanks to the Snowflake Room, a room specially designed so parents can be with their deceased children before the funeral, we were able to sit with Harry and say our goodbyes in a warm loving environment, it meant a great deal.

“Losing him has broken our hearts. We miss him so much I cannot begin to put it into words. It's just so cruel.”

“Jeff and I both had counselling for some considerable time afterwards by trained Hope House staff which certainly helped.

“We have always tried to support Hope House. It’s an amazing place just full of love. Harry and Charlie’s godmother, Rachel Thomas, works at Hope House as a nurse.”

Julia, who has another son, Sam, 22, added: “Then in 2013 Charlie was diagnosed with renal failure and underwent a kidney transplant. He’s now off dialysis but he’s on medication for life.

“The team at Alder Hey were fantastic and since 2013 we have split the money we raise between Hope House and Alder Hey. Both mean a great deal to Jeff and I and we want to support both.

“Harry’s Duck Race will be a really fun afternoon and we have lots of stalls and other things going on including a barbecue.

“Village Bakery is supplying the bread and rolls and we have been helped by so many local businesses including Nick’s Meat and Cheese who are donating the burgers and hotdogs.

“And Gerrards are donating teddy biscuits, as they have done since we started doing this event so many years ago. There will be lots of other stalls too with so much going on. Santander are match-funding us and will donate the same amount and staff from Wrexham and Oswestry will be there on the day to support the event.

“It really will be a fun afternoon and anyone who comes down to support the event will be really welcome – the more ducks we have in the water the better!”

Hope House Children’s Hospices head of fundraising Alison Marsh says the amount of money raised by Julia and Jeff since Harry passed away is amazing and everyone at the hospice is grateful for their continued support.

She said: “Sadly, every week, three local families face their biggest fear and their child dies. Hope House Children’s Hospices cannot stop children dying but we can stop families suffering on their own.

“When they are facing the most devastating loss of their lives we must be there. We need to reach every child, mum, dad, sister and brother and to do this we need to raise more money so we can offer even more services such as our Snowflake Room.

“We need to raise in excess of £6m a year to support all the children and families we help from across North Wales, Shropshire and parts of Cheshire. That’s why it’s so important we have as much help as possible from communities and businesses across the region.”

She added: “We are so grateful for all the support we have had from Julia, Jeff and their family. They have raised a huge amount of money for Hope House Children’s Hospices and we really can’t thank them enough for their continued support.

“And as the money raised from the sale of ducks will be shared with the Kidney Research Fund at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital both charities will benefit.

“However, Hope House are also selling larger corporate ducks which companies can decorate with their own logos.

“It’s just £1 to buy a small duck and just £30 for a corporate duck - it’s going to be an amazing and fun afternoon we hope people really support the event. There’s a trophy for the winning duck and small prizes too. The prizes aren’t important, it’s more about taking part and having fun.”

You can buy a £1 duck on line by visiting Virgin Just Giving at www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Harry-Charlie

To find out more about Hope House Children’s Hospices please visit www.hopehouse.org.uk