An alternative Duck Race will go ahead in Sandwich following the postponement of the event.

Organisers Sandwich Rotary agreed to postpone the Bank Holiday Monday fundraiser in respect of Lucas Dobson who died after falling into the water while on a fishing trip with his father.

Tradition is that ducks are purchased by businesses and individuals and thrown into the water with the winning duck claiming a £500 cash prize, donated by local businesses.

Now, it has been announced that rather than a river race, the plastic items will go into a tombola at St Peter's Church on Saturday, October 19.

The club has also agreed that any funds raised from the sale of ducks after the announcement will go towards the emergency services who helped in the five-day search for the six-year-old boy from Deal.

A spokesman said: "The Rotary Club of Sandwich will hold an event on October 19 at St Peter’s Church, Sandwich, hosting stalls from the emergency services who worked so tirelessly during the tragedy.

"We will be selling ducks going forward, with stands on October 5/6 and 12/13 at Sandwich Co-op, with all money raised from now on, to go into a separate pot to be donated to those emergency services."

Money already collected from the sale of ducks, estimated to be about £5,000, will be ring-fenced due to the legal constraints surrounding named charitable beneficiaries.

This means that the money will still be split between chosen charities SNAAP in Thanet, Age Concern in Sandwich and Open Your Heart to Bhutan.

The discovery of missing Lucas had a big impact on the whole community

A spokesman added: "We would hope that a similar amount would be raised to support the emergency services."

Corporate ducks cost £25 each, otherwise ducks are £1.

Visit 'Rotary Club of Sandwich' for more information.

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