News

Quacking good fun for a quacking good cause

(29 October 2003)

Up to 10,000 ducks will be launched into the River Wear this Sunday (2 November) raising thousands of pounds for charity.

The big-prize rubber duck race in Durham City is set to cause quite a flap as the biggest in Britain this year. At 12.30pm thousands of yellow plastic ducks will splash into the river off Elvet Bridge. They will be launched by the Mayor of Durham and the Captain of HMS Invincible from two JCB’s on loan for the day from Diggerland.

Each duck will be sponsored for £1 by well wishers and the first duck over the Kingsgate Bridge finishing line wins its sponsor £750. Second over the line wins £250 followed by a host of smaller runners up prizes.

There is still time to sponsor a duck and tickets are available from Durham City Tourist Information Centre, Prince Bishops Centre car park office, Durham Students Union or by calling 0191 383 2932. On Saturday Durham University students will be selling ducks on the malls at Prince Bishops and Millburngate Shopping Centres.

Larger corporate ducks are also available for companies to sponsor at £25 each with a case of champagne to be won.

Alongside the duck race will be plenty of other entertainment including a PA system from the Student Union playing an array of musical accompaniments to the race and the Esh and Bearpark Band playing by Elvet Bridge.

The duck race sponsored by Northumbrian Water and promoted by the Durham Marketing Initiative, is being run by Durham University Charities Kommittee (DUCK). The race will raise funds for the international charity WaterAid, the Durham Mayor’s Appeal and the St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham City.

WaterAid, the adopted charity of Northumbrian Water, raises funds to bring clean water, safe sanitation and hygiene education to people in Africa and Asia. Just £10 will provide clean drinking water for a person for their entire life.

Tim Guinan, Durham University Charities Kommittee (DUCK) Officer commented: “The sight of thousands of bright yellow plastic ducks racing down the river will be incredible. The day promises to be quacking good fun with lots going on for all the family while benefiting some really worthwhile charities.”

Photo Opportunities

Thursday 30 October, 2pm - Prince Bishops Centre Conference Room, Durham
A huge flock of the bright yellow plastic competitors will be numbered by volunteers ready for the race on Thursday 30 October from 2pm in the Prince Bishops Centre conference room, Durham.

Saturday 1 November
Durham University Students will be selling ducks in the malls at Prince Bishops and Millburngate Shopping Centres in Durham City.

Sunday 2 November – Durham City, Elvet Bridge
12.30pm Up to 10,000 yellow beaked plastic ducks will be launched from Elvet Bridge, Durham City into the River Wear from JCBs to start the race. There will be photo opportunities throughout the day in the lead up to and during the race.

For further details contact Helen Swain, Public Relations, University of Durham on 0191 334 0017.

For information about duck ticket sales contact the Durham Marketing Initiative on 0191-383-2932.