The 29th Annual Duck race took place on Wednesday 1st January 2020 at Manor Park Toton.
The Mayor of Broxtowe councillor Michael Brown started the race by releasing 1500 plastic ducks into the River Erewash. They floated down the river and were caught at the bridge approximately 600 yards downstream. The owners of the first 10 ducks crossing the winning line received a prize.
The 2020 Duck race was a resounding success and attracted a crowd of around 2000 people including lots of family pets. Mulled wine donated by The Nags Head at Borrowash and mince pies, donated by Tesco at Toton, were served along with tea and coffee. We had the usual doughnut stand and this year, for the first time, we had hot dogs on sale with the bread rolls also donated by Tesco at Toton. There were tombola and chocolate tombola stalls, courtesy of Thornton’s. There was a prize every time cuddly toy stall, loved by the little ones. In addition, we had a raffle for a giant Poo Bear and Tigger, again donated. An opportunity to ‘adopt’ a retired duck and festive music ensured that there was a great atmosphere.
Prior to the main race we had our corporate race. Local businesses donated £25 to sponsor a duck or £35 for two. In the corporate race we had 43 ducks and the winner was UCIG at Long Eaton, who won a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates.
Prizes for the Race were donated by local business and the race was sponsored by Michael Keys Garage at Long Eaton.
We raised £4,4019, up on last year by a superb £1,000, all of which will be spent for the benefit of local older people. Angela Barnes, Fundraising Networker for Age UK Derby and Derbyshire said “The Duck Race has become a great local event and we are so grateful, both to Broxtowe Borough Council for allowing us to use the park and to the Mayor who presented the prizes. We are especially grateful to our sponsors, Michael Keys Garage at Long Eaton, to all the businesses who continue to support us with both the corporate race and for providing the prizes for the main race, to all our volunteers and to the local people of the surrounding area who always turn out to support us.”
Next year will be our 30th so will be looking to do something really special!!