2,300 rubber ducks take to the water as charity race raises £10,000

Thousands of brightly coloured rubber ducks have taken over the River Tees in a fundraising race that has raised twice as much money as last year's event.

Around 2,300 ducks were released into the Tees Barrage International White Water Course as part of the annual duck race organised by Stockton-on-Tees Round Table.

The event is raising money for Teesside Mind and the Great North Air Ambulance Service, with organisers saying donations had reached around £10,000.

That figure is double the amount raised by the event last year.

The race attracted large crowds, with spectators gathering to watch the sea of rubber ducks make their way through the course. Some of the organisers even joined in wearing costumes as the colourful toys were released into the water.

Prizes were awarded to the sponsors of the ducks that crossed the finishing line first, adding a competitive twist to what has become a popular community fundraiser.

Daniel Marshall, the group's social media manager, said the public response had been exceptional and that the event had attracted people from across the area.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service was selected as one of the beneficiaries after one member of the organising group experienced the charity's work first-hand when his father was taken to hospital.

Organisers said the duck race is part of a wider programme of fundraising events planned throughout the year, supporting different charities and community causes.

And while the sight of thousands of rubber ducks racing down the Tees may have provided plenty of entertainment, the real winners were the charities set to benefit from the money raised.