The day started with thunder, lightning and torrential rain but Suzanne and I gamely splashed our way through the puddles to the riverside opposite Hampton Court.

After much pleading we convinced the organisers to let us keep the CRY van on site as we wanted to use the awning on the van to keep us dry.
We had set up by 10:30am and happily watched the other stall holders struggle with their gazebos and umbrellas while we blew up balloons and ate bacon rolls.

Shortly after 1pm the rain stopped and the sun came out and with it all the people who had been sensible enough to remain indoors.

Suzanne and I put on our heart costumes and red wigs and began handing out balloons and leaflets to anyone that came within 50 yards. Although we didn’t manage to sell any merchandise we did sell a few raffle tickets, received a number of donations and had lots of compliments on our colourful stall. After three hours of explaining what and why CRY existed the last duck floated by and the rain started again.

Only this time torrential didn’t do it justice. After five minutes of panicking, Suzanne carefully emptied the rain-filled awning over my head – making me look like a large red and white drowned duck! – and we decided to head for home.

The day was very enjoyable despite the rain and we made sure that all our new friends knew all about the work we do here at CRY.

Wendy Wright

175,000 ducks took part in the race – a new World Record for racing plastic ducks! Thousands of charities asked their supporters to ‘adopt a duck’ for this event, and there were 36 CRY ducks involved in the race.