Ducks on charity wicket

26/10/2004

Ducks rained down on the Durham County Cricket Club pitch as England star Paul Collingwood opened the brolley on a charity fundraiser.

Up to 20,000 rubber ducks will be launched from Elvet Bridge onto the River Wear in Durham City at 1pm on Sunday 7 November.

The big-prize duck race – one carrying a £1,000 prize on its back – is set to cause quite a flap as the biggest in Britain this year.

Last year some 10,000 ducks – each one sponsored for £1 by well wishers - splashed spectacularly into the river and this year the number has been doubled.

Paul Collingwood, England and Durham 28-year-old all rounder from Shotley Bridge, said: “I don’t normally like to be associated with ducks but for these good causes I have made an exception!”

Money raised from the race, which is sponsored by Northumbrian Water, will go to WaterAid, The Mayor’s Appeal for the St Cuthbert’s Hospice and the Durham City Christmas Lights Appeal.

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

The first duck over the Kingsgate Bridge finishing line wins its sponsor £1,000, second over the line wins £300 and third gets £200. There are a host of smaller runners up prizes.

Corporate ducks are also available for companies to sponsor for £25 each with a trophy and case of champagne to be won.

The race is being run by Durham University Charities Kommittee (DUCK) and promoted by Durham Marketing Initiative.

Communications Manager for Northumbrian Water Alistair Baker, a keen WaterAid supporter pictured with Paul at DCCC, said: “Last year hundreds of people turned out to watch the spectacle of yellow ducks bobbing along the river and this year the fun event – which is already driving everyone quackers – promises to be bigger and even better.”

Duck sponsor tickets are now on general sale with the buyer also given the chance to name their duck.

Tickets are available from the Tourist Information Centre, Millennium Place next to the Gala Theatre in Durham City and also from the nearby Clayport Library. They are also available from Durham University Charities Kommittee members, fundraisers for St Cuthbert’s Hospice and WaterAid and occasional street sellers in the Prince Bishops and Millburngate shopping centres.

If anyone experiences difficulty in buying a ticket they should call the Durham Marketing Initiative on 0191 383 2932.

 For further media information please contact Alistair Baker at Northumbrian Water on 0191 301 6851 and Tom Fennelly at University of Durham Public Relations on 0191 334 6078.