Bronze statue unveiled to honour the University’s most popular duck: Long Boi
Posted on 11 October 2024
Beloved campus duck Long Boi has been formally memorialised on campus, with the unveiling of a bronze statue.
The statue, which will stand close to the lake at Derwent College, was unveiled on 26 September by Radio 1 DJ Greg James, in a morning of activity which included: a live broadcast of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show; a memorial service in Central Hall, and the release of a traditional Viking funeral pyre.
Affectionately named Long Boi by students thanks to his tall stature, the 70cm Indian runner duck became a much loved figure on campus. His charm captured the hearts of students, staff, and alumni - leading to a dedicated Instagram. The account ran by alum Zoe, was set up during her time as a student, and now has over 60,000 followers.
Long Boi’s fame skyrocketed when he featured regularly on Greg James’ Radio 1 Breakfast Show and even appeared on James Corden's The Late Late Show.
To much shock, Long Boi disappeared in 2023, and after several months missing the University was forced to conclude that he had passed away. Students, staff, alumni and friends of Long Boi around the world were devastated, and plans began to hatch for a fitting tribute to the duck.
In response to student requests, members of the University of York Students’ Union launched a crowdfunding campaign in Long Boi’s memory, with the goal of raising enough funds to commission a statue.
Led by then-Union president Pierrick Roger, the Long Boi memorial project fundraiser was hosted on YuStart, the University’s crowdfunding platform. In total, 337 donors raised more than £5,300 in Long Boi’s name.
After a public callout for artists, award-winning wildlife sculptor Neil Mason was appointed with creating the sculpture, meticulously hand-carving the clay mould before it was sent to Greece for bronze casting.
On the morning of September 26, the life-sized statue was officially unveiled during a particularly emotional ceremony led by Greg James in a special edition of his breakfast show. The ceremony featured:
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A number of celebrities including Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh and Jodie Whittaker, shared their fond memories of Long Boi during the live broadcast.
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The University’s Sing Song Society performed a special ‘Long Boi’ rendition of Hot to Go by Chappell Roan.
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A ‘minute of quacking’, and Royal Albert Hall organist Anna Lapwood contributed an organ rendition of Wiz Khalifa’s See You Again.
Long Boi’s bronze statue now proudly stands near the lake at Derwent College, one of his favourite spots, serving as a fitting reminder of the joy he brought to the University community.
Read more about Long Boi's legacy on his dedicated webpage, and on the York Students' Union webpage.
