Skip to content

Thousands of rubber ducks race for charity

Eleanor LawsonBBC News, West Midlands
News imageLouise Amos, Little Miss Buttonmoon Photography Thousands of yellow rubber ducks cascade down from a bridge, photographed in the air before they hit the river below. A white banner saying 'The Big Hereford Duck Race' hangs from the bridge.Louise Amos, Little Miss Buttonmoon Photography
The annual duck race raises money for local charities

Thousands of rubber ducks have raced down a river in Herefordshire as part of an annual event.

The Big Hereford Duck Race, organised by the Hereford City Rotary Club, raises money for local charities.

About 6,200 ducks were released into the River Wye from the Hunderton Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Each one was sponsored either by individuals or local businesses.

News imageElevated Eye Photography An aerial view of a river with thousands of yellow rubber ducks in, which appear as yellow dots on the river due to the height. The river is surrounded by trees and grass, with a view of Hereford visible in the backgroundElevated Eye Photography
The event is organised by the Hereford City Rotary Club

Kerry Gibson-Yates, vice president of the rotary club, said: "The day was an amazing success thanks to the wonderful support of the Herefordshire public and amazing businesses within the county.

"It was fantastic to see so many people along the river bank cheering their ducks on.

"It's community spirit at its best.

"We look forward to supporting more local charities and good causes over the next year."

News imageLouise Amos, Little Miss Buttonmoon Photography Thousands of yellow rubber ducks gather in a river, underneath a bridge with blue ropes hanging from it which helped release the ducks. A white banner saying 'The Big Hereford Duck Race' hangs from the bridge. Lots of trees can be seen in the background.Louise Amos, Little Miss Buttonmoon Photography
The race raises money for a number of local charities

Individuals could sponsor a duck for £2 while it was £30 for businesses.

The money raised by the event will go to a range of charities over the next year.

Charities supported over the last year include Herefordshire Home Start, Hereford Young Carers, Night Shelter for the Homeless, Marches Family Network, HPA Music Festival, Hinton Boxing Club, Hereford Community Farm, Save the Wye and Hope Scott House.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk

Related internet links