Rubber ducks raise thousands for charity

The Avon River got a little crowded on Sunday when hundreds of little impostors took to the water alongside ducks and geese to raise money for charity. More than 1000 bathtub ducks were released into the Avon River at the Bridge of Remembrance and raced 650 metres to downstream Victoria Square to raise money for Life Education Canterbury. Life Education fundraising manager Meri Wynen said the inaugural event raised about $15,000 for the organisation, which delivered health programmes to primary and intermediateage children across Canterbury. About 50 businesses paid $200 to have a duck in the corporate race and 1000 members of the public paid $5 for a duck to enter the second race. All the ducks were collected at the end of the race. They were now off to Auckland for another fundraising event. Life Education Canterbury runs health programmes for up to 20,000 children across the region each year. The programmes cover self-esteem, food and nutrition, body knowledge, social relationships and substances. Wynen said the event would now become an annual fundraiser.