Lions turn to ducks for support

TORQUAY Lions Club is quacking on with preparations for its fundraising duck race this weekend.

The club hopes 300 toy ducks will make the start line of Saturday morning’s beached duck races, which would pit the rubber racers against each other to win local gift vouchers for their adopters.

The Lions club’s Peter Thomas said the fundraiser had begun as a lockdown activity in 2020, but that members hope it will grow into a family attraction with crowds this year.

“We ran a duck race because we had no other ways or raising funds, like our sausage sizzles,” he said.

“It was very successful, we raised $2000 for the wellbeing of the community.

“So we thought, ‘let’s do it again’. This year we’re opening up so people will be able to come and watch.

“Kids in particular love it, though they’re not too far in front of their parents in barracking for their ducks.”

Mr Thomas said the Torquay Lions hoped to raise $3000 for this year’s event, which would support local initiatives such as for people in need, volunteer organisations like surf clubs, and schools.

The club will select the exact time location for the race based on tides and water flows on Saturday morning and announce details on Facebook.