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Rubber duck race doubles charity's takings

Tom MacDougallNorth East and Cumbria
Daniel Marshall A rainbow stream of different coloured rubber ducks are being poured into the River Tees by organisers - one who is wearing a bear costume. Onlookers lean over metal railings and film with their phones.Daniel Marshall
Some 2,300 rubber ducks were dropped into the Tees Barrage International White Water Course

More than 2,000 rubber ducks have been raced to raise money for charity.

The 2,300 toys were dropped into Tees Barrage International White Water Course for Stockton-on-Tees Round Table's duck race to raise funds for the mental health charity Teesside Mind and Great North Air Ambulance Service.

Race organisers said the event had generated £10,000 so far, double their takings from last year.

Social media manager Daniel Marshall said: "We've had an absolutely fantastic day and the support from the public has been absolutely phenomenal."

Cash prizes were awarded to the sponsors of ducks which were the first over the finishing line.

Daniel Marshall A close up of the swarm of ducks as they float in the water. There are hundreds of them in a variety of coloures.Daniel Marshall
The rubber ducks raced to raise money for Teesside Mind and the Great North Air Ambulance Service

Marshall said the duck race was just one of the events they would run through the year to raise money for different charities.

He said the air ambulance was chosen as one of the organising charity's members was grateful to the service for taking his father to hospital.

Marshall said the race "seemed to bring crowds from everywhere".

"I don't know what it is about rubber ducks, but everyone loves them," he said.

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