Colourful, oversized rubber ducks have begun turning up in shop windows across Darlington this week as organisers roll out a town-wide trail to raise funds for St Teresa's Hospice.
Trail leads build-up to autumn race
The Darlington Duck Trail sees local businesses hosting decorated, illuminated ducks throughout the summer, inviting families and visitors to hunt them down and collect trail maps from participating premises. The activity is part of the hospice’s wider fundraising campaign in advance of the Darlington Duck Race, scheduled for 26 September.
Organisers include St Teresa's Hospice, Darlington Borough Council and Darlington Rotary Club, who say the trail is designed both to encourage footfall in the town centre and to raise the profile of the charity’s work.
“The response from businesses across Darlington has been incredible. We’re so grateful to every organisation that has sponsored and displayed a duck – their support has helped bring this trail to life.”
The hospice’s senior fundraiser emphasised the community value of the initiative, adding that the trail is intended to prompt families to explore local shops while supporting the hospice. Campaign literature notes that purchasing a racing duck for £5 gives supporters the chance to win prizes on race day.
How the public can get involved
- Pick up a Duck Trail map from any shop displaying a duck.
- Buy a racing duck for £5 for a chance at prizes during the race on 26 September.
- Businesses interested in hosting an illuminated duck can contact the hospice directly.
Anyone wishing to host one of the display ducks is asked to contact St Teresa's Hospice on 01325 254321. Further details are available via the hospice website.
| Event | Key details |
|---|---|
| Darlington Duck Race | 26 September |
| Racing duck cost | £5 |
| Contact | 01325 254321 |
Locally run charities rely heavily on community fundraising and events such as this to sustain services. The trail offers residents a light-hearted way to support a hospice that provides end-of-life care in Darlington and the surrounding communities, while also encouraging people to visit and spend time in the town centre during the summer months.
Maps and decorated ducks remain on display across the town during the summer leading up to the race; families are being urged to make the trail part of their summer outings.
