THE sun was bright and the sky clear as a large group gathered on the banks of Bermagui River for the annual duck race on Sunday.
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It was not our feathered friends that took part in the race but yellow rubber ducks, in an event hosted by Bermagui Cancer Research Advocate Bikers (CRABS) to raise money for cancer charities.
At early afternoon the flock of ducks were set loose upstream in the river, with the first one to reach the bridge claiming the prize money of $300, with runner-up prizes awarded as well.
The owner of the duck who came in second place even donated their money back to cancer research.
In addition to the duck racing there was also a wood raffle, sausage sizzle and jumping castle for the kids to play on.
Bermagui CRABS presented donations of $5000 to CanAssist and $15,000 to NSW Cancer Council on the day.
Bega Cancer Council’s community relations coordinator Sarah Flynn said the money for the Council would be going towards research of all types of cancer, and she was pleased to report they had been recently “making great strides” in such research.
“It’s a really great family event that the CRABS guys do,” she said.
“Even though they are a bunch of ‘bikers’ it is a family focused group who put on family events.”
Rhonda Van Bracht from CanAssist said the donations would go towards “helping those less fortunate” and “helping those paying bills while having treatment”.
“This sort of thing goes a long way to help,” she said.
Eight hundred of the 1000 ducks were sold before the event, and president of Bermagui CRABS Mike Power thought the rest would be sold on the day.
“It’s been good weather today,” he said.
“We have had 120 per cent support from the community here, it’s been overwhelming.
“I’d like to thank all members for getting involved and helping out.”
Mr Power said the major sponsors of the event are Bermagui Bait and Tackle, who support it every year.
Founder of CRABS Rob Grimstone said while the organisation had been running for 10 years, this was its fifth year in Bermagui.
It is now an international organisation, with a chapter in Switzerland and one set to open in Finland soon.
Mr Grimstone said the organisation has raised and donated $400,000 towards cancer charities since its inception.
Bermagui CRABS has meetings on the first Tuesday of every month, from 7.30pm which are open to the public and check www.crab.org.au > Events > Calendar for the location.