The pre-school, based on Oughtrington Crescent, Lymm, is now the proud owner of an outdoor musical station

Jo Cooper, a member of the pre-school’s fundraising committee, said: “We were aware of the Round Table and their charity work so we wrote to them hoping they would consider us. Thankfully, they were able to fund the entire cost of the equipment which will support the children’s motor skills, social interaction, confidence and self-esteem, as well as helping them have lots of fun!”

Oughtrington Pre-School is just one of the many beneficiaries of Lymm and District Round Table’s latest batch of charitable donations, with a total of £4,500 also having gone towards organisations such as the Walton Lea Project, Warrington RSPCA, Brainwave, Lymm British Legion, Canal Street Day Centre, Warrington Hospital Maternity Ward and Cotebrook House.

“We’ve raised record figures again this year, so, as a result more and more charities and community groups will get cheques sent their way,” said Round Table chairman Chris Stephens. “We’re always on the look-out for worthy causes so feel free to get in touch if you’re a charity, group or individual who needs some support.”

In fact, spirits were anything but dampened as organisers Lymm and District Round Table reported an impressive £5,000 raised for charity.

A host of businesses gave the event their backing, including main sponsor 235 Consulting, helping to make it one of the most successful duck races ever.

“We were a touch worried that the poor weather forecast would deter a lot of people from coming down, however the number of people who actually braved the rain was really pleasing,” said John Edwards, organiser and Round Table member. “A big thank you must also go out to the countless businesses which purchased corporate and super ducks as it was their generosity which ensured we raised as much money as we did.”

The winning ducks, carried down the lower dam in a record time of just 20 minutes thanks to the strong current, were numbers 308 (first), 993 (second) and 127 (third), with the super duck winner named as St James’s Place Wealth Management and corporate duck winner Sainsbury’s.

Prizes were also awarded to those who guessed the correct finish times of special Lymm Ladies Circle pink and blue ducks which helped to raise funds for breast cancer and testicular cancer respectively.

The popular annual event takes place in Lymm village, with the race beginning at 12.30pm. A wide range of food stalls and children’s entertainment will be open from 10.30am.

“We broke all records last year by raising over £5,000 for charity and local causes so we have a lot to live up to this time around,” said John Edwards, organiser and enthusiastic Round Table member. “We’re hoping some good weather will bring out the crowds again in support of this great community event.

“We’re particularly keen this year to hear from businesses who may wish to get their name out there in front of hundreds of local folk, either as one of the main sponsors or by buying a corporate or super duck.”

Racing duck tickets can be bought online at www.lymmduckrace.co.uk – normal duck tickets are priced at £1, with corporate ducks £30 and super ducks £60. The first duck over the line receives £100, second place £50 and third £25.

Alternatively, tickets are on sale by The Cross, Lymm, on the four Saturdays preceding Easter Monday and you can also buy them on the day.

If you are interested in sponsorship or have an idea for running a stall, then contact John on 07772 235235 or john@235consulting.com.

Dave Openshaw, Chris Stephens, John Edwards and Rik Wilson (pictured) rode the 60-mile Cheshire Plains and Peaks Cycling Challenge and raised £200 in aid of St Rocco’s Hospice.

Not content with that feat, Dave, Chris and John were joined by Rick Church for an even longer ride – 100-miles from Wythenshawe Park to Nantwich and back – for Christie Cancer Hospital in Manchester, which raised a further £190.

“My dad got treatment at Christie’s when others said there was nothing they could do,” said Dave. “I’m really pleased we managed to send some money their way – along with St Rocco’s – it made the resulting aches and pains well worth it!”

A record £7,000 was raised from the event held at Lymm Rugby Club on Crouchley Lane, meaning this year more worthy causes will benefit than ever before.

Bonfire organiser and Round Table member Mike O’ Crowley said: “We’d like to thank all the members of the public who came to the event – we had a bit of a technical issue with the fireworks which meant they went off in two stages however we hope that didn’t spoil anyone’s enjoyment of the evening too much.

“I’m particularly pleased that the new disabled area was well-received and that those who made use of it, such as residents from Cotebrook House, were able to get a good view of the display. Our thanks also go out to Betterprint who carried out a lot of work for us for nothing, the stall holders who kept the crowds well fed and watered and the rugby club who allowed us to host the bonfire here once again.”

Over 300 people sampled some of the 29 beers and ciders on sale and were treated to some hearty grub courtesy of Lymm Ladies Circle.

CAMRA member Kevin Campbell said: “There was an excellent range of drinks on offer, both from in and around Warrington and across England and Wales, including dark beers, pale ales, ciders and even different types of perry. As an inaugural event it was really well organised – hats off to them.”

Lymm and District Round Table chairman Chris Stephens added: “We’re delighted that so many people came along to sample the great selection of beers we had on offer and we’re very grateful to all the local businesses and organisations that sponsored barrels. There’s no rest for the wicked though – our attentions must now quickly turn to the Big Lymm Bonfire!”

We donated £500 to Wythenshawe Wheelers All Abilities Cycling Club – which helps cyclists with disabilities – and £100 to Wythenshawe Park’s Horticultural Centre in aid of its redevelopment following vandalism in May.

We donated £750 to the society which supports over 500 children and adults in Stockport, Manchester, Trafford, Tameside, Derbyshire and Cheshire, who have a range of physical and/or learning disabilities and autistic spectrum conditions.

The money will initially go into general society funds, to ultimately be used to pay for equipment and activities for service users.

Adrian Rigby-Bates, the society’s fundraiser, said: “Everybody at Stockport Cerebral Palsy Society would like to thank the Lymm and District Round Table for their generous recent donation. This money will be invaluable to our society and will have a positive impact on the quality of life for disabled children and adults.”

Chairman of the Lymm and District Round Table, which organises a number of fundraising events throughout the year, Chris Stephens, said: “Although we are based in Lymm we are keen to support charities and community groups across the region and we felt that Stockport Cerebral Palsy Society is particularly worthy. We hope our donation goes some way to assisting its future development.”

The impressive total was raised from the proceeds of the Round Table’s main events throughout 2010/11 – the Lymm Duck Race, Big Lymm Bonfire and Burns Night – in addition to ‘Movember’, a worldwide initiative that raises vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer.

New chairman Chris Stephens said: “All our events this year have been really well attended by the public and local businesses and traders have also provided valuable support. Combined with all the hard work our members have put in it’s no real surprise that we’ve managed to raise as much as we have.

“There’s a real buzz about the Lymm and District Round Table with a rapidly growing membership and next year promises to be better still with a few new events, such as Lymm’s first charity beer festival, added to the mix.”

The local causes to have benefited from the Round Table’s donations include Thelwall and Stockton Health Scouts, STEPS charity, Ravenbank Primary School, Wollston Playgroup and Cheshire Search and Rescue.

Led by main sponsor, Brolley, who provide family and household services, a host of businesses also supported the event, helping to make it the most successful duck race ever.

“We’re really grateful to everyone who got involved this year, from the people who bought ducks, to the stall-holders who helped to ensure the crowds had a great day,” said Dave Healey, organiser and Round Table member. “We’re particularly thankful to the local businesses who managed to sponsor this year in what are difficult times.

“As a result of such generosity we’re delighted that such a huge sum of money – a record for this event – will be making its way to local charity and community groups this year.”

The winning ducks were numbers 822 (first), 396 (second) and 217 (third), with the super duck winner named as The Best of Warrington website, and corporate duck winners Sweeney Todd Barbers and Stan James bookmakers.

Prizes were also awarded to those who guessed the correct finish times of special Lymm Ladies Circle pink and blue ducks which helped to raise funds for breast cancer and testicular cancer respectively.