Cancer Research Advocate Bikers (CRAB) held their annual duck race on the Bermagui River in conjunction with the Re-Boot Bermagui weekend of activities.
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CRAB executive member and project manager of the Duck Races, Jim Gilchrist said that seven years ago he was invited to a duck race on the Darling River where they had 300 ducks racing to raise funds for the Flying Royal Doctor Service.
“I thought what a fabulous idea, so I put it to the CRABs executive and they thought it was a great fundraiser provided it was held at a quiet time of the year.
“But we sort of missed that this year, there are so many people here, it’s just fantastic.
“The Duck Race has sort of evolved and now it consists of a race of 20 giant ducks with people on them that have a quick race across the river and back again for the perpetual shield that is held in our club house,” he said.
After the big duck race, the club then launches a 1000 ducks which they endeavour to get into the water about the same time.
“The first duck to make it under the bridge is the winner and they win $300, second place is $150 and last is $50,” Mr Gilchrist said.
“We created the race to raise money for the Cancer Council and for CanAssist in the Bega Valley.
“Today we will donate another $20,000 which will make it $273,000 we have donated to cancer research in a short period of time, which is a huge effort for a very small community,” he said.
The Duck Race was due to kick off around 1.45pm, in a short race of about 15 minutes in which the plastic ducks travelled with the current.
The winner of the giant duck race was Will Vaughan-Smith riding the Gelati duck, with the winner of the main duck race number 219 belonging to Petronella Piet; second place duck 124 went to Liam Jones-Sullivan with Steve Mallick coming in last.
Following the race CRABs duck race organiser, Jim Gilchrist presented a cheque for $15,000 to Grant Plecas from the Cancer Council, and a cheque for $5000 to Lori Hammerton from CanAssist Bega Valley.
See all the photos from the Bermagui CRABs Duck Race here.