Rubber duck race raises thousands for United Way at Wet’n’Wild in Brampton

Brampton | Caledon | Latest News |

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Published September 20, 2023 at 1:02 pm

Photo: United Way Brampton

It was a record-breaking year for the annual United Way Duck Race in Brampton raising more than $5,500 to help some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

The race got going at Wet’n’Wild on Sept. 6 and saw two special participants with Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Coun. Rod Power jumping into the chilly waters along with the duck racers.

Residents buy into the race by purchasing a duck, with each one assigned a unique number. The ducks are then cast into Wet’n’Wild’s lazy river with the owners of the first three ducks to cross the finish line winning a cash prize.

The top winner of the race took home $250, and United Way says over $5,500 were raised through the event which will help the Brampton chapter meet its annual fundraising goal of $97,000.

The United Way enlisted Mayor Brown and Coun. Power to help with the race and drive the sale of ducks after finding a sluggish start to the campaign with around 250 ducks. But Brown and Power spread the word at Brampton City Hall, which led to more than 1,100 ducks being purchased by residents for the race.

Mayor Brown and Power said during a presentation to a Committee of Council on Wednesday that they were happy to help with the fundraiser to support the city’s most vulnerable residents.

Members of City Council also took part in the 2023 United Way Brampton Campaign and Kick Off BBQ on Tuesday, raising more than $4,800 for the campaign.

For more information and ways you can help support the United Way in Brampton visit www.unitedwaygt.org.

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