Bow-tie wearing duck that raised thousands for charity banned for not having a permit

A bow-tie wearing duck that has raised thousands of pounds for charity has been banned – because he doesn’t have a permit. The bird – called Star – wears a dickie bow and waddles alongside his owner Barrie Hayman raising money for sick youngsters. Star and Barrie regularly visit businesses collecting cash from the public – already raising £6,500 for a children’s hospice.

But Barrie has now been told by several councils that his sidekick could be deemed ”irritating” and needs a permit. Barrie, of Bideford, Devon, now has to apply 28 days in advance for a single day’s permit – meaning he would only be allowed to collect on one day each month. He said: ”If I was putting into my own pocket, I could understand it, but everything goes to the sick children.

”If a permit covered me for a year and I was able to visit a different town each day, that would be fine, but on this basis I don’t think I can carry on.” Barrie and Star collect on average £200 a day by going into businesses around North and Mid Devon. Star dons a bow tie and Barrie carries a bucket and together the pair have raised £6,500 for Children’s Hospice South West in Fremington, Devon.

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But council officials say to be fair to all charities, they must limit how often fundraisers are allowed to collect cash. They also say they have to ensure charity collectors are limited in their efforts to make sure they do not become ”irritating” to the public. But local businesses have slammed the decision and are calling for Star to be allowed to collect money as often as possible.