On a hot summer day, almost 100 beautifully (or creatively, if not all beautifully) decorated ducks took to the water for the annual Break charity Grand Norwich Duck race. Joining them was our own Huey Hughes, a newcomer to this longstanding event. Training for the event seemed to involve Huey visiting some beautiful East Anglian locations, relaxing in front of an amazing 4K TV and, very occasionally, going near water.
Still, the time had come for Huey to get into the competitive mindset, to paddle a full 100m down the River Wensum, with his friends from other local businesses! The race got off to a slow start with very little wind or flow in the river, so the ducks had to be helped along the river a little but they still had the last 30 meters to paddle furiously to the finish line. As the wind picked up Huey saw his chance and made a dash for the line, watched and cheered by many of teh hundreds of smiling spectators who had lined the route.
It was very tense, Huey was flying (not literally) along, our hearts were in our mouths as he edged closer towards the front…. Could he make it? Could our young Huey make it a Hughes victory?
Well, no. It was close but he managed a mighty 5th (all the more impressive for his frankly shoddy approach to training). Duck QuackenEnroe (see what they did there?) coming in first place.
The corporate race was followed by 3,000 little rubber ducks, sponsored by members of the public for £2 each, racing along the same stretch of The Wensum..
A Break official said that they hoped that the event would raise more than £10,000 for the charity. Break is ‘changing young lives’ across East Anglia by supporting children, young people and families in four key areas:- Young people in care and moving on; Children and young people with disabilities; Families in need of support and Children at risk. Read more about this fantastic charity here.
All the ducks will be auctioned off at 6pm tonight at the Maids Head hotel, Tombland, Norwich with all funds going to Break.
Here at Hughes we are proud to have helped this life-changing charity.
Please note: This article has been written whilst suppressing more than 40 fairly ropey duck puns.
