The Eastern Bay of Plenty Life Education Trust is busy selling “ducks” ahead of its upcoming fundraising Duck Race at Port Ōhope.

Board chair John Spring said they had a successful couple of mornings outside New World last weekend selling the $5 duck tickets.

“Thanks to New World for hosting us. We sold $500 of $5 tickets on Saturday and Sunday. Harold was very pleased.”

They plan to return this weekend between 9am and noon.

The event has been well supported by the business community with 72 corporate ducks sold to date at $195 plus GST each – only 10 short of the 82 sold last year.

Spring said Beulah Services recently came on board as a naming sponsor, which they were very grateful for.

The Duck Race will be held at the Port Ōhope Wharf on Sunday, October 1,8 from 1pm with food trucks on site and activities in the Shed for tamariki. The corporate race will be at 3pm, with the outgoing tide taking the ducks under the Wharf.

The $5 duck race is at 3.30pm.

The winner of the corporate race will receive $1000 worth of advertising with the Beacon with cash prizes of $300, $200 and $100 for first, second and third in the $5 race.

Spring said last year the weather was great and the whole area and wharf were packed with families having a fun time with Harold and Life Education Trust EBOP.

He is looking forward to a similarly festive atmosphere this year.

Anyone interested in buying a corporate duck can email [email protected].