Duck Derby event helps Sidmouth Lions raise £4.4k for charity

The annual 'Duck Derby' event in the Byes raised £4,400 for charity this year, according to hosts Sidmouth Lions Club.

The event saw thousands of rubber ducks, each sponsored by an individual or business, go down the River Sid on the afternoon of Sunday 16 October.

There were three races: a main race for the public with yellow ducks, a corporate race for businesses with red ducks, and a 'duck and spoon' race for children.

The net proceeds from this year's main yellow duck race were £3,700. The sum will be shared, with £1,300 going to Children's Hospice South West (CHSW) and Devon Freewheelers each, and the remainder to Sidmouth Lions Club.

Ducks on their way down the River Sid (Sidmouth Lions Club)

Lions Club Secretary Chris Rignall said: "It would not have been possible to raise this huge amount of money for charity without the extraordinary generosity of local residents and also many of the visitors to Sidmouth during the month or two prior to the Duck Derby.  

"Sidmouth Lions Club would therefore like to thank all supporters of the Great Duck Derby and especially the local Co-op, Potburys and Lidl stores for allowing the Lions to sell duck tickets outside their premises. The Lions are also very grateful to the proprietors of Paper Moon in Fore Street, Cards@83 in High Street and Woolbrook News for selling the duck tickets in their shops.

"Organising and running our Great Duck Derby also requires a huge team effort, so Sidmouth Lions would like to thank the Sidmouth College 6th Form students and Head of 6th Form, Sue Hurley, for their much appreciated help on the day and the two officers of St. John Ambulance for being present to provide any necessary first aid during the event; also thanks to the Lions partners and friends for their ongoing patience and support!

"If you would like to help the Lions or find out more about Sidmouth Lions Club, please call 01395 577450 or use the 'Contact Us' section on www.sidmouthlions.org.uk."

Prize winners

Duck and spoon race winners

• 2-3 years - Louis Jackson
• 4-5 years (Joint winners) - Alice Blatherwick & Luca Robinson
• 6-7 years (Joint winners) - Alfie Drew & Amelia Womersley
• 8-9 years - Ceci Flower
• 10-11 years - Alphi O'Brien
• Mum's race - Jo Ingham
• Dad's race - Stephen Brown
• Grandparent's race - Howard Edwards

Main duck race winners

• 1st £400 Angela Zubick, Sidmouth
• 2nd £100 Keith Morgan, Enfield, Middlesex
• 3rd £75 Helen Tubbs, Newton Poppleford
• 4th £40 Susan Bradford, Wiggaton
• 5th £40 Tim James, Sidmouth
• 6th £40 James Hipwood, Gloucester
• 7th £40 Ann Gurney, Sidmouth
• 8th £40 Jackie Stamp, Sidmouth
• 9th £40 Tony Brockington, Sidmouth
• 10th £20 Simon Moore, Sidmouth
• 11th £20 J Middlehurst, Sidmouth
• 12th £20 Dave Hoare, Sidmouth
• 13th £20 Jackie Webb, Exeter
• 14th £20 Keith Adamson, Sidmouth
• 15th £20 Julie Long, Sidmouth
• 16th £20 Mrs Mathys, Sidmouth
• 17th £20 Mrs Coveney, Sidmouth
• 18th £20 R Dodderell, Sidmouth
• 19th £20 An Van Hecke, Sidmouth

Corporate duck race winners

• 1st £1000 Branscombe Camping – Airfield
• 2nd £500 Willow Framing
• 3rd £300 Sid Valley Country House Hotel