The Mayor of Southwark ordered the dispatch of two live ducks to the Castle Leisure Centre last week, to promote her forthcoming ‘Duckathon’ charity swim.
On Thursday last week Mayor Kath Whittam was joined by Camberwell resident and Call the Midwife actor Jenny Agutter to promote her duck-themed swimathon.
Between November 14 and 20 residents are invited to swim lengths at their local pool, with proceedings going to mayor Kath’s chosen charities, the National Autism Society and Surrey Docks Farm – who provided the white ducks pictured.
To take part in the mayor’s Duckathon, swimmers can get into teams or go it alone. You just need to record your distance, and forward your sponsor money to (justgiving.com/fundraising/Mayor-of-Southwark).
All the money and the collective distance from all the Duckathon participants will then be recorded to see how far Southwark has swum for the two charities.
You can also go to one of the following events at four Southwark Leisure Centres:
- Peckham Duckathon – Monday November 14 at 7-9pm at Peckham Pulse
- Dulwich Duckathon – Tuesday November 15 at 7-9pm at Dulwich Public Baths
- Castle Duckathon – Wednesday November 16 at 6-8pm at The Castle Leisure Centre
- Camberwell Duckathon – November 17 at 6-8pm at Camberwell Leisure Centre
At the end of the week on November 20, all four leisure centres will take part in a simultaneous Duckathon between 8am and 1pm.
The mayor said that everyone who enters will get a hat and once they’re finished will get a medal or a Duckathon rubber duck.
“I’ll be doing 25 lengths at each pool every night,” said Kath
“I had the idea of doing something that gets people active, and combines my two chosen charities, and is something a bit more unusual.”
To find out more, visit www.southwark.gov.uk/duckathon.