Ducks ready for the off. Pic: Anne Mainwaring
Time’s running out to ‘back a duck’ and be in with the chance to win a prize in the annual charity race that sees thousands of plastic ducks bid for first place as they bob down the river from Mansbridge to Woodmill.
Article continues after this message...
It takes place on August Bank Holiday Monday (29th), is free to watch, and prizes for choosing the speediest ducks range from a £250 first price, £125 second and £100 third prize, to cinema tickets, vouchers, and various others.
“Tickets are selling out fast. If you want to back a duck, to potentially win you the top prize of £250 or one of the many other prizes on offer, contact Dave on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to grab a duck,” says the Eastleigh Lions website.
Eastleigh Lions say there may also be some tickets left to buy by the river near Woodmill on Saturday and Sunday after 10am.
They told bitternepark.info: “The ducks will be ceremoniously dropped into the river at Mansbridge [on the Monday] at 2.30, but we should be visible at both Mansbridge (Swanwick Lions Club) and Woodmill (Eastleigh Lions Club) from about 10.30 with a few other attractions to keep the children occupied. Although we don't have food stalls, it might be a good day to bring a picnic to the park and make a day of it!
“As usual, all money collected will be used to help local causes (we as Lions pay towards the International assistance programme, and occasionally run specific collections for disaster areas."