A duck race for a quacking good cause at Largs RNLI

Huge crowds of supporters gathered to find out who would be a ‘lucky duck’ when 1700 little yellow ducks were released into Gogo Burn.

Every duck sold helped support the RNLI to continue to save lives at sea, proof that even a little yellow duck can make a big difference.

At midday the ducks said ready, steady, quack and were dropped into the burn from the bridge above and started floating their way to the finish line past the huge crowds of supporters who turned out for this highly anticipated event.

The water level in the burn was very low due to the recent spell of warm dry weather so volunteer lifeboat crew were positioned along the bankside to assist the ducks on their journey and gather up any of the stragglers.

Luckily, 10 of the valiant swimmers finally made it to the finish line to be awarded prizes. The fundraising team have been in touch with all of the lucky ducky winners.

All of the other ducks were collected by the volunteers and we can confirm that none of our little yellow ducks were harmed in the event!

Philip Ewing, Fundraising Chair at Largs RNLI, said: ‘As a charity the RNLI rely on the donations and support we get from the public to allow us to continue to save lives at sea.

‘Everyone at Largs RNLI is very appreciative of the support we receive from our local community and would like to thank all of those who bought a duck for this event.

‘Everyone left with a smile, even if their duck didn’t finish first’.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Claire McRae, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.