Naas woman owned first pink duck home in charity paddle

This was the scene on the River Liffey in Dublin yesterday as 3,000 pink rubber ducks had a swimming race.

Members of the public had sponsored birds in the Pfizer Powering Pink Duck Race in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation.

The first duck home sailed past the finishing line at Samuel Beckett Bridge, leaving competitors in its wake as it covered the 300m course in 56 minutes.

The lucky owner was Martina McDonagh from Naas, Co Kildare, who wins a weekend break in Dublin.

Funds raised will go towards the charity's extensive services which include a new six-week programme for people with metastatic breast cancer offering advice on how to manage the physical symptoms as well as coping with the significant emotional burden.