A QUACK-ING amount of cash was raised for the Scanner Appeal at a duck race in Kidderminster.

More than £300 was collected for the Shuttle-backed cause at the Kidderminster Carnival Duck Race last Saturday. The cash has sent the Kidderminster Hospitals League of Friends’ £125,000 appeal flying past £31,000.

More than 300 plastic ducks were launched into the River Stour for the annual race from the Tesco bridge.The winner was Kidderminster resident Fred Matthews, who collected two tickets to the Town Hall Comedy Club show on June 28.

The League of Friends wants to raise £65,000 for software for the hospital’s new CT (computed tomography) scanner and another £60,000 to pay for the building work to allow the old model to be replaced.

Kidderminster Carnival organisers have singled out the appeal as the beneficiary of this year’s carnival, on Saturday,June 22.

Programmes for the event are now on sale with all the proceeds going to the appeal.

Peter Picken, of the League of Friends, said: “We are very grateful to all those who sponsored a duck for the race,helping to raise money for the Scanner Appeal.”

He added the appeal, also backed by Wyre Forest District Council chairman Fran Oborski, had been going well so far.

“More people are expressing an interest in raising money,” said Mr Picken.

People can make a donation to the appeal by contacting the League of Friends on 01562 67653.

Alternatively cheques, made payable to Kidderminster Hospitals League of Friends, can be sent to Cadisha Brown, The Shuttle, 6 Towers Buildings, Blackwell Street, Kidderminster, DY10 2DY.