BathEmpire

BathEmpire Rubber Ducks Make a Big Impression With the Air Ambulance

Posted on 04. Apr, 2013 by BathEmpireDavid in Our News

Easter bunnies made way for ducks in a race to raise money for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Almost 200 rubber ducks were released on the River Soar in Aylestone, Leicestershire, on Easter Monday to help the air ambulance service keep flying and saving lives.

The yellow ducks were donated by online bathroom retailer BathEmpire.com, as part of its support for the charity.

The duck race was organised by Ivan and Rita Ball, who live in Aylestone and are volunteers for their local air ambulance service.

Ivan said: "It's the first time we have ever organised a duck race but when we heard that BathEmpire.com had hundreds of their rubber ducks to donate, we thought they would be ideal for a fund-raising event.

"We had 183 ducks enter the race and they looked great as we launched them from the bridge in Aylestone and into the River Soar.

"People were running along the river bank as the ducks drifted down and we had a canoeist at the end of the 100-yard stretch to catch the first three past the finish line.

"Everybody really enjoyed it, especially the children, and it was such a success that we'd like it to become an annual event."

The race raised £183 for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance. Prizes donated by The Union Inn and The Black Horse in Aylestone and Aylestone Farm Shop were awarded to the first three.

Chris Li, founder of BathEmpire.com, which is based in Coventry, said: "Our BathEmpire.com rubber ducks are a huge hit with our customers so we thought they would be great for the air ambulance service to use to raise money.

"We're delighted to help make a difference to the charity's life-saving work in such a fun way."