Duck Race Fundraiser Day

What a fabulous day it was. I was so impressed at Stephen , the Scout Leader implementation plan for this event. Every single eventuality was covered in his very detailed implementation plan including bacon rolls at 12.00!

There was the home bake stall at the side of St Matthews church across from
The river and served as the meeting point for all involved.

It was so good to see the crowds of people lining the pavement alongside the river watching the 2 thousand ducks making their way downstream to the queens bridge and the finish line. Two tenders from the Fire Brigade were there handing out stickers and water safety leaflets . This is the first big event in the city since pre Covid and hopefully this Spring/summer will see more of it.

Well the ducks were doing well getting three quarters a way to the bridge when suddenly the wind got up and blew them up back the way they came! So instead of taking half and hour it took one hour 15 till no 1 crossed the finish line. Closely followed by two and three which were breakaways from the pack :). A local business kindly donated the £600 prize for the raffle with 300, 200 and 100 going to the first three places.

Then it was scooping up time on the ducks from the river from the kayakers, canoeists and paddleboarders with their nets. All ducks were accounted for and no plastic pollution whatsoever. The boom net that was strung across the railway bridge to catch the ducks wasn’t needed as they never got that far.

The even raised £5,500 for the South Korea Fund and an elderly lady passing the stall kindly wrote a cheque for £700!

A tremendous effort for all the organisers and helpers, a good turnout and great teamwork from all concerned.