Five Buck A Duck Derby raises $8K for schools programme

OLI WILLIAMS

Hundreds of Marlborough residents gathered at Pollard Park on Sunday for the annual Five Buck A Duck Derby, raising approximately $8,000 for the Marlborough Life Education Trust.

A total of 594 individual ducks and 150 corporate entries raced downstream, with proceeds supporting the trust’s mobile classroom programme in local primary schools. The trust is known for its mascot, Harold the Giraffe, who was at the park.

With favourable weather and a great turnout, the derby continued to be popular within the community. Many families lined each side of Fulton Stream for the fundraiser which, according to event organiser Tasha Knox, continues Harold’s mission of “inspiring kids to be their best selves.”

The Life Education Trust delivers health and wellbeing education through their mobile classroom, led by a trained educator who visits schools across Marlborough. Tasha said the fundraiser is crucial in keeping the programme running.

“We don’t receive government funding,” she noted, “so we rely on community support to keep the Harold programme in local schools.”

The Blenheim Rotary Club was involved with the event, providing volunteers to help run the race as well as operating a barbecue throughout the day.

Mike Blair, who is active in both organisations, explained that the derby is the trust’s “main fundraising event for the year … basically to carry out the work we do with all the primary schools here in Marlborough.”

In the corporate race, Liquid Action took first place, followed by MediaWorks in second and Woodbourne Tavern in third.

“What a great turnout,” Tasha said. “[It’s a] really good crowd and a lovely day. I think this is a better turnout than last year. [We’re] really, really happy.”