A quacking charity event is returning this year as part of the Lord Mayor’s Celebrations, so make sure you’ve got a stake in a contender.
Last year saw around 2,500 toy ducks take to the water of the River Wensum as part of the Great Norwich Duck Race, a charity event to raise money for the 1st Norwich Sea Scout Group. This year organisers hope to get a lot more plastic competitors involved to help raise funds to build a new base at their Old Lakenham site.
Organiser Jane Stafford, who is also the secretary of the Sea Scout’s fundraising project, said: “Last year’s race was fantastic. The support from local people was great and the weather was great.
“The duck race is worth about £5,000 of the £360,000 total we need, so it’s a big chunk, and will help us towards the project being underway in 2012.”
This year’s race is due for the final night of the main Lord Mayor’s Celebrations weekend, on Sunday 10 July - with each duck costing £2 and prizes for the first four across the finish line ranging from £200 to £50. Some of the money raise will also go to the Lord Mayor of Norwich’s civic charity - which this year is Big C.
Councillor Brenda Arthur, leader of Norwich City Council and cabinet member for culture and events, said: “We’re really pleased the duck race is back as part of the Lord Mayor’s Celebrations again this year. It’s a lovely event raising money for a worthwhile cause, so I’d encourage everyone to buy a duck and cheer on the contenders in the race.”
An added event for this year is The Corporate Duck Race, seeing 50 giant toy ducks race down the Wensum, sponsored by any organisation that would like to take part.
Corporate ducks cost £250 each, with 20 per cent of the money raised going to the winner to donate to the charity of their choice.
Any company buying a big duck will be able to decorate however they want to and will be able to keep it to compete in future years.
Ducks are available from the Norwich Tourist Information Centre, based in The Forum, now - so pop in and get yours.
You can also find ducks for sale around the city at the following times:
| Saturday 18 June | Waitrose, Eaton | 9am to 6pm |
| Sunday 19 June | Waitrose, Eaton | 10am to 4.30pm |
| Saturday 25 June | Sainsbury, Brazengate | 9am to 6pm |
| Saturday 2 July | Waitrose, Eaton | 9am to 6pm |
| Sunday 3 July | Waitrose, Eaton | 10am to 4.30pm |
| Saturday 9 July | Chapelfield Gardens | 11am to 8pm |
Or, you can pay online at www.greatnorwichduckrace.blogspot.com
8 June 2011