Bright sunshine and blue skies welcomed record numbers for Harrow Hong Kong’s annual Long Ducker Day (10 March 2018), where around 1300 pupils, parents, staff and supporters took on the School’s charity fundraising challenge.
Now in its sixth year, the annual Long Ducker sponsored run is one of the traditions adopted from Harrow UK, and is jointly organised by the School and its parents’ association Friends of Harrow.
The Hong Kong edition takes place along a 15.8km stretch of the MacLehose Trail behind the School’s Gold Coast campus, with shorter alternative routes that allow for participation of pupils and their families from the youngest in Early Years to the oldest in Year 13, both walking and running.
The Long Ducker even had some special guest elite runners to help set the pace, thanks to Thomas Kiprotich and members of the North Face Adventure Team.
Some 329 runners took on this year’s challenging Long Ducker route, with the following winners crowned:
Lower School: Henry (Year 4, Tiger) and Freya (Year 4, Snake)
Prep School: Max (Year 8, Shackleton) and Margaux (Year 7, Fry)
Senior School: Tank (Year 11, Sun) and Claudia (Year 11, Keller)
Parent: Ms. Fely Bejuna
Staff: Mr. Berner and Mrs. McMillan
The winners of the 8km Short Ducker were:
Lower School: Hogan (Year 4, Dragon) and Joline (Year 4, Ox)
Prep School: Xavier (Year 8, Banks) and Alana (Year 7, Fry)
Parents: Mr. Alan Oates and Ms. Nicky Garwood
Staff: Mr. Zoeller and Miss Coady
Even the youngest pupils joined in the challenge in the first ever Mini Ducker, with over 130 taking on 25 laps of the astro course.
The run was followed up with a huge celebration of food, live music, dancing, games and entertainment at the School, showcasing the pupils’ many talents. Friends of Harrow and an array of parent volunteers co-ordinated an impressive and cosmopolitan International Food Court, reflecting the School’s diverse international community.
Senior and Prep Houses collaborated to provide an imaginative and fun assortment of stalls to raise money for their chosen charities.
Charitable service and contributing positively to the community are key pillars of a Harrow education, and this year’s Long Ducker raised funds in excess of HK$333,000 for the School’s six pupil-nominated charities: Crossroads; HandsOn Hong Kong; Help for Domestic Workers; Hong Kong Dog Rescue; Action Against Hunger; and Girls Not Brides.
“The tradition of the Long Ducker is one which the Harrow Hong Kong community has embraced with great enthusiasm, and is a real highlight in the School calendar,” said Head Ann Haydon.
“The whole School community should be commended for their efforts, creativity and dedication on what was a truly fantastic family day in aid of some very worthy causes.”
Harrow Hong Kong would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all the parents, pupils, staff, supporters and charity partners who dedicated their time, expertise and energy towards such a successful day.
