A quackers dad has vowed to change his name to “Rubber Duck” if a charity duck race raises more than £3,000 for his local children’s hospice.
Daniel Caldwell, 31, has been dared by his pal and fellow organiser of the Brinscall duck race, Curtis Lunt, 33, in a bid to raise as much money as possible for Derian House.
The pair hosted Brinscall’s first-ever duck race last year, with the event bringing the community together to watch 722 rubber ducks race down Brinscall Goit, raising £2,100 for the charity.
Last year, Daniel ruffled some feathers after daring Curtis, to get a rubber duck tattoo if the race raised £1,500.
And it did – meaning Curtis couldn’t duck out of his dare. Now it’s Daniel’s turn – and pal Curtis didn’t disappoint.
“I couldn’t let the duck tattoo go by without some revenge,” said Curtis, who has just taken over the running of The Golden Lion pub in Higher Wheelton.
“So this year, I have a dare for Dan. If we can raise more than £3,000 for Derian House, Dan will have to legally change his middle name to ‘Rubber Duck’.
“It’s even funnier because Dan will have to have it on his passport and driving license, and he’s due to get married in 2027 – I’d love to hear Daniel Rubber Duck read out at the altar.”
The duck race will take place on Sunday 13 July at 2pm at Brinscall Goit. It’s just £2 to sponsor a duck with winners taking £250, second place £100 and £50 for third place.
Tickets can be bought online by visiting www.brinscallduckrace.co.uk, or by emailing brinscallduckrace@outlook.com. Buy in person at The Golden Lion Pub in Higher Wheelton; The Cricketers Arms, The Cottage Tea Room, Murphy’s Fish and Chips in Brinscall; or at the Hare and Hounds, in Abbey Village, or The Red Lion, in Wheelton.
The pair came up with the idea for a duck race after holding one with their daughters and realising that it would be a great idea to raise money for worthy causes.
“We pulled together a team of friends, who we are calling Duck HQ, and got to work,” added Curtis.
“Last year went so well that we decided we had to do it again, but this year will be bigger and better. We’re even planning a family-friendly duck-themed party in the Golden Lion pub the night before the duck race, so look out for details on that.
“Derian House is a local charity and when we went for a tour there, it was incredibly humbling. Learning about the Sunflower Rooms where children can lie at rest was just something else. I think having children ourselves makes it more important to raise money for a charity like Derian. It’s such an amazing place and it’s all about making precious memories.”
Ann Marie Fishwick, Community Fundraiser at Derian House, said: “We’re absolutely quackers about the support from Curtis and Daniel. Once again the Brinscall duck race will not only raise vital funds for our families, but will raise awareness of what we do here at Derian House too.
“Care is free to families at Derian House, but it will cost £6million to run the hospice this year. We rely on our kind-hearted supporters to raise 70p in every £1 as we only receive a small amount of funding from the government.”
Derian House Children’s Hospice, based in Chorley, Lancashire, cares for more than 400 babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West, helping them to make the most of every moment.
