RUBBER DUCK RACE AND DRAGON BOAT REGATTA RETURN TO REGENT’S CANAL
Popular Family Events Raise Vital Funds for Cosmic Children’s Charity
The beloved Rubber Duck Race and Dragon Boat Regatta are making a splash again this year on the Regent’s Canal to benefit Cosmic, the charity supporting the children’s and neonatal intensive care units at St Mary’s and Queen Charlotte’s Hospitals.
On Thursday 25th July, up to 3,000 rubber ducks will be released into the canal at Merchant Square (Paddington, London W2 1JX) at noon for the annual Rubber Duck Race. The bright yellow ducks will bob along the 100-metre course to the finish line, with the quickest quacker winning a prize. Ducks can be sponsored for just £3 each.
The fun continues later that evening as the Dragon Boat Regatta takes over the canal from 5 – 9pm. Traditional Chinese dragon boats, manned by 16 rowers and one drummer, will race in a frenzied 100-metre competition. Competing teams often don festive fancy dress, vying for the “Best Dressed” title along with the fastest time.
Both events are free for spectators to attend along the canal towpath. However, sponsoring ducks and dragon boat teams raises vital funds for Cosmic’s efforts supporting critically ill children and their families, as well as providing equipment and resources for hospital staff.
Lynsey Carrington, Acting Chief Executive for Cosmic, said: “We hope to raise over £45,000 from these two wildly popular events. Those funds directly impact the lives of critically ill babies and children by providing family accommodation, counselling, staff training, life-saving equipment and funding a programme of ground-breaking research into life-threatening diseases. We are immensely grateful to everyone who sponsors a duck or dragon boat team.”
The Rubber Duck Race runs 12 – 2 pm, while the Dragon Boat Regatta is 5 – 9 pm on July 25th at Merchant Square at Paddington Basin. In addition to the races, there will be live music, outdoor bars, street food and more festivities.
To sponsor a duck or learn more about the Cosmic charity, visit cosmiccharity.org.uk.