Amanda was supposed to be presenting new trophy - instead she ended up receiving it

The first memorial trophy set up to honour the founder of Wakefield's annual Dragon Boat Challenge has been won by his daughter.

By The Newsroom

Published 17th Jul 2016, 09:00 BST

Amanda O’Neil was first over the finish line with her team Stuart’s Big Kiss at Pugneys Country Park - winning the event by just half a second.

She was set to present the new Stuart Wardell Memorial Trophy to the race winner - but instead ended up receiving it herself from Coun Jim Dodds, the Mayor of Kirklees.

The trophy was named in honour of her late dad who, along with the Rotary Club of Huddersfield and his colleagues from the Rotary Club of Wakefield Chantry, set up the fundraising event in 2009.

Mrs O’Neil said: “He was obviously looking down on us, having a great laugh at the weather, but he gave us a real push at the end to get us over the line.” A full report of the event will appear in the Express on July 31.