A ‘FAMILY afternoon and duck race’ was held at New Mills Farm Park, Launceston, on Saturday, August 12.

The event was held in memory of Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show secretary Rosie Ireland’s eldest son, Archie Ireland, who would have been seven on August 14.

Archie died when he was just 27 hours old. There was never a real reason found for his death.

The duck race was held to raise money for the charity Lullaby Trust, which supports families affected by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Mrs Ireland said: “The charity helped myself and my husband Andy through those times and also offered invaluable support when our next son, Solomon Ireland, was born a year later — it was his sixth birthday on the Saturday of the duck race. We now also have a four-year-old, Arthur Ireland.”

The Lullaby Trust undertakes research into SIDS and is entirely funded by donations.

The event came about when a group of Mrs Ireland’s friends — Sarah Wickett, Laura Trewern, Rachel Jackson, Tracy Uglow and Alice Shute — asked what she wanted to do for her 40th birthday, which is later this year.

Mrs Ireland said: “I replied that I wanted to raise £1,000 for the charity.”

So far, the group has held a raffle, which raised £2,000. Speaking about the duck race, Mrs Ireland said: “The duck race was a massive success, the sun came out and loads of people turned up. It was a lovely relaxed afternoon, with lots of people chatting and catching up having not seen each other through the school holidays.

“All the children played beautifully together on the great equipment supplied by New Mills. We had a barbecue, cake stall and sweet stall.”

On the day 250 ducks were sold and raced down the river. Melody Shute owned the winning duck. In second place was Callum Davis and in third was Janosh Balson. The event raised a further £911.80 for the Lullaby Trust.