Buy a duck and support The Waterways Trust

A new fundraising initiative is giving ordinary members of the public a chance to become a record breaker and raise funds for The Waterways Trust at the same time.

PRESS RELEASE

On Sunday 2 September 2007 organisers of the Great British Duck Race intend to beat the world record for a duck race by sending 165,000 rubber ducks down a 1km stretch of the River Thames near Hampton Court Palace.

As well as attempting to set a new record, the Great British Duck Race also aims to raise over £500,000 for UK charities, and The Waterways Trust has been selected as one of the three main beneficiaries from the project.

Event organiser, Sabina Smith, said: “As well as being a really fun event, the Great British Duck Race aims to raise a lot of money for charity while also raising awareness of the River Thames and the opportunities it holds for leisure and recreation.”

Joanne Darlington, Head of Development at The Waterways Trust, said: “The Waterways Trust has been raising funds for heritage, wildlife and community projects along the upper reaches of the River Thames since 2002. Projects funded through our Thames Appeal help to improve the natural river environment and increase people’s enjoyment of this important waterway. The Great British Duck Race is an exciting initiative and we are delighted to be involved.”

People can adopt a duck for £5 (minimum), which will include a £3 donation to The Waterways Trust. There are prizes for the first 30 ducks to cross the finish line, so as well as supporting a worthwhile cause, people adopting ducks are also in with the chance of winning £10,000.

To adopt a duck and to find out more about the Great British Duck Race visit www.thegreatbritishduckrace.co.uk Please remember to select The Waterways Trust as the beneficiary charity.

Press Enquiries

Justine Lee

Communications Manager

The Waterways Trust

Tel: 01452 318213 / 07917 804550

Email: justine.lee@thewaterwaystrust.org.uk

The Waterways Trust is a national charity working to promote greater public enjoyment of the UK’s waterways by raising funds for waterway restoration, conservation, recreation and education.  The nationally important Designated inland waterway collection in our three museums at Gloucester, Ellesmere Port and Stoke Bruerne, together with the Waterways Archive, brings the history of the waterways alive for everyone.

1st June 2007