Air Ambulance in Burnham
Landing at the top of the town...
Ducks Away!...
The Duck Race begins...
Duck Race proceeds...
The presentation of the Cheque
Andy and Liz take 'The Duck'...
Drinkers at The Star sponsored the most ducks
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Residents and visitors to Burnham often appreciate the tranquillity and remoteness of the riverside town until they need the emergency services and then it's a different tale. The charming twisty roads of the Dengie Peninsula mean that it can take forty minutes to reach the nearest hospital with
A & E facilities, even with the blue lights on!
The arrival of the bright yellow Essex Air Ambulance has changed all that as even the most remote Essex village can be reached within eight minutes from its base in Boreham. The residents of Burnham have cause to be grateful for the service and support it with generous donations.
The Essex Air Ambulance has been the official charity of Burnham Week for several years now and the Duck Race has been the centre of our fundraising.
On the final Saturday, wind and tide permitting, the Corinthian Otters launch two thousand yellow ducks to race in the River Crouch between the Royal Corinthian and the Royal Burnham pontoons. It isn't exactly exciting but each little plastic duck bobbing in the tide can be 'bought' at a pound-per-head and the winning duck will make its owner richer by £100 and the Essex Air Ambulance richer by far more than that...
The event is either over in a flash as the ducks try to make a break for freedom and head for Holland or it's a bit like watching paint dry as the entire fleet sits becalmed - that always taxes the imagination of the duck gatherers!
This year's effort raised a splendid £2,222. This is partly because of the dedication of Brian Prew, who needs to make several visits to the local pubs and the persistent support of the staff in the various pubs, cafes and clubs who rattle the tins. The photographs show Teresa James from the Essex Air Ambulance receiving the cheque and Andy and Liz from the Star taking 'The Duck' for raising the most money.
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