The gentle flow of Sidney Brook was transformed into a vibrant river of yellow on Sunday afternoon for the much-loved annual Rushden Charity Duck Race. Hundreds of residents, from toddlers to grandparents, lined the banks of the stream as it winds through Hall Park, cheering on the plastic ducks as they bobbed their way towards the finish line.
The event, now in its tenth year, is a firm favourite in the town’s calendar. This year’s race was sponsored by local estate agents Henderson Connellan and raised over £2,000 for the Rushden Food Bank. For a small donation, participants could “adopt” a duck, with cash prizes for the owners of the first three ducks to cross the finish line.
The winning duck, number 257, belonged to eight-year-old Chloe Williams. “I chose him because he looked fast!” she said, beaming as she accepted her first-place prize from the Mayor. “I’m so happy my duck won, and I’m glad the money is going to help people in our town.”
Organiser David Smith, from the Rushden Rotary Club, hailed the event as a huge success. “It’s a simple bit of fun, but it brings the whole community together for a wonderful cause,” he said. “Seeing so many smiling faces is what it’s all about. We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors and to every single person who bought a duck. This generosity will make a real difference.”