Rubber Duck Race and Dragon Boat Regatta return to Regent’s Canal to raise vital funds for Cosmic.
The beloved Rubber Duck Race and Dragon Boat Regatta are making a splash again this year on the Regent’s Canal in aid of Cosmic, the charity supporting the neonatal and children’s intensive care units at St Mary’s and Queen Charlotte’s Hospitals.
On Thursday, 31st July more than 3,000 rubber ducks will be released into the canal at Merchant Square 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 first prize of two return Eurostar tickets to a destination of their choice, plus additional exciting prizes generously provided by Haidilao and B.Duck and DCUK. Ducks can be sponsored for just £3 each and there is no limit on how many you can sponsor.
The fun continues later that evening as the Dragon Boat Regatta takes over the canal from 5 – 9 pm. 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, with previous years seeing crews dressed as Minions, Drag Queens and Pirates, all 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 to support critically ill children and their families, as well as providing equipment and resources for hospital staff and funding vital research.
Susannah Forland, Chief Executive at Cosmic, said: “We are thrilled to see these fantastic events return for another year. Every £3 from a sponsored duck makes a real difference to the families we support during incredibly challenging times. The funds raised help us provide essential services like on-site family accommodation, counselling support, specialist equipment for our intensive care units, and vital research into life-threatening childhood diseases. We are enormously grateful to Merchant Square, our sponsors, and everyone who gets involved – whether by sponsoring a duck, cheering from the sidelines, or simply making a donation to Cosmic.”
The Rubber Duck Race runs from 12 – 2pm, while the Dragon Boat Regatta is 5 – 9pm on July 31st at Merchant Square at Paddington Basin. In addition to the races, there will be live music, outdoor bars, street food and more festivities from 11am.