Charity duck racer proposes 'quackers' name-change
A rubber duck racer has promised to legally change his name to something "quackers" if his event manages to hit its charity fundraising target.Daniel Caldwell is co-organiser of the Brinscall duck race in Lancashire and wants to raise money for Derian House Children's Hospice.And, in order to spur them on, if the racers hit their £3,000 target Mr Caldwell has pledged to legally change his name to Daniel "Rubber Duck" Caldwell by Deed Poll.He was dared by fellow organiser Curtis Lunt who last year got himself a rubber duck tattoo after the village's first ever duck race netted £1,500.
On that day the community gathered to watch 722 ducks race down Brinscall Goit, raising £2,100 in the process."I couldn't let the duck tattoo go by without some revenge," said Curtis."It's even funnier because Dan will have to have it on his passport and driving licence, and he's due to get married in 2027. I'd love to hear 'Daniel Rubber Duck' read out at the altar."
The pair came up with the idea for a duck race after holding one with their daughters and realising that it would be a great idea to widen out and raise money for charity.This year they have chosen the Chorley-based Derian House, which cares for babies, children and their families."It is a local charity and when we went for a tour there, it was incredibly humbling."It's such an amazing place and it's all about making precious memories."
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Gladiators star 'signs up for Strictly Come Dancing' after impressing BBC bosses during Christmas special
A Gladiators star has signed up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing, after 'impressing' BBC producers on the Christmas special. The superhuman, 36, took part in last year's festive edition and was paired with professional dancer Nancy Xu. Nitro, whose real name is Harry Aikines Aryeetey, has reportedly agreed to appear on the regular series this autumn. A show insider told The Sun how the ex-Olympian had been on bosses' wish list for some time now. The said: 'Bosses have been desperate to get Nitro on the series for a while. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'They were in talks last year but couldn't get the timings to marry up with his work. 'He was a huge hit at Christmas prancing around in lycra and showing off his biceps. Producers were also impressed with his dancing. 'The Gladiators' fanbase is growing and kids love them so he'll be a hit with younger viewers, too.' MailOnline has contacted Nitro's rep and the BBC. Nitro previously hinted at a role in the main series when he revealed he would be taking part in the Christmas special with an injury. He told The Mirror: 'I am carrying an injury to some degree. It's been quite tough. I'm not my full self. Hopefully that's taken into consideration. But at the same time, I'm just here for a good time. I can dance, I can enjoy myself, that's the most important thing. 'Although I think we're going to do well and although I think we're going to have fun with it, it would be nice to do myself 100% justice by competing another time on the main series. 'It would be good to be in a position where I can show my ultimate self. I've got the bug. If the opportunity arises… it's abut being in an arena and learning a new skill. If the opportunity arises, I would jump at it, literally because I'll be able to jump by then.' Earlier this year Strictly Come Dancing confirmed the professional lineup for 2025. Dianne Buswell, who lifted the glitter ball in December with Chris McCausland, will be joining Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Jowita Przystal in returning to the dance floor this September. Amy Dowden, who pulled out in the opening weeks of last year's show due to a foot injury, will also be back on Strictly for 2025, as will Carlos Gu and Kai Widdrington, who didn't have a celebrity partner last year. Despite rumours that he might be making a return after missing out on last year's series, Giovanni Pernice will not be heading back to the ballroom this time around. Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios said : 'The excitement is already building ahead of the new series and in addition to welcoming back our fantastic returning Pros, we are looking forward to welcoming two brand new Professional Dancers to the line up who will help bring another unforgettable series of dazzling dance and loads more besides to viewers later in 2025.'
Daily Mail
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Seven BBC women alerted bosses over Wynne Evans' conduct... So why did he tell TV's Cat and Ben: 'There have been no complaints about me. Ever'
The BBC received seven complaints from women over Wynne Evans ' conduct towards them, including one claim he made an inappropriate comment about a pregnant woman's breasts during a Zoom call. The Mail on Sunday's revelations come just days after opera singer Evans, axed from his BBC Wales breakfast radio show last month, protested on ITV 's This Morning that there had been no allegations made against him. He appeared on the show last Wednesday to tell hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard: 'There has never been any complaints about me. Ever!' The MoS can instead disclose that BBC Wales staff raised the seven separate grievances between July 2023 and August 2024, including a period after Evans, 53, was approached to appear on last year's Strictly Come Dancing. Four of the complaints were made before he joined Strictly, raising questions over why the dance show's producers signed him up. Three more were made after he had been chosen for the show. A report into his behaviour was prepared in January for a disciplinary hearing which he said he could not attend, citing mental health issues. The Go Compare frontman's time on Strictly was mired in controversy. The Mail on Sunday told in January how he was filmed using the vile term 'spit roast' – a three-way sex act – to his co-star Jamie Borthwick in relation to professional dancer Janette Manrara during the launch of the Strictly Live Tour. He apologised and left the tour. Evans had earlier been caught up in a 'wandering hand' incident with his Strictly dance partner, Katya Jones. One source said of the BBC Wales complaints: 'Some of the comments he made were awful. 'Imagine making a comment about a pregnant woman's breasts. His behaviour left many women feeling uncomfortable.' A former colleague, who wants to remain anonymous for fears of career repercussions, told the MoS the complaints were well known among staff at the Welsh broadcaster but 'everyone was afraid to speak out' because Evans was seen as 'untouchable'. She said: 'That's why he got away with it for so long and why he will get away with it.' The woman revealed how the father-of-two's inappropriate behaviour 'built up over the years'. She said: 'At first, he was known as an idiot and a clown but it turned into something more sinister and tipped into being inappropriate and uncomfortable to be around and work with. 'These complaints are real. He is not just someone who has made a few rude jokes. There are women who have made complaints and he was warned time and time again and just kept going. 'The argument that he has of 'Oh, I'm just a product of my time. It's just a joke'... well, those times are gone and you can't act that way, especially if you have been warned about it.' A BBC spokesman said: 'We take any issues raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.' A spokesman for Evans declined to comment.
Daily Mail
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Gemma Collins 'calls in police and beefs up security' as terrified star is sent 'abusive and menacing' letter to her home
Gemma Collins has been left 'terrified' and forced to call in police after she received an 'abusive and menacing' letter to her home. The reality star, 44, is said to be petrified and has beefed up her personal security as a result of the ordeal. A source close to Gemma told The Sun how the man behind the twisted letter detailed his strong dislike for her and talked about tracking her down. They said: 'Gemma was left shaken and very scared for her safety after she received a threatening and abusive letter from a man expressing his extreme dislike for her and using menacing language. 'It was really nasty and made reference to tracking her down, so she called the police straight away. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'It was alarming that this man knew her home address, but she already upped security and has round-the-clock guard dogs and has cameras onsite. 'She is always incredibly friendly with all her fans and happy to stop for pictures and a chat so to have someone send such an unpleasant letter has really shocked her.' The insider shared that there is now an ongoing investigation and Gemma is 'grateful' to the police for taking the matter seriously. The added: 'She thought about what had happened to Holly Willoughby and her kidnap threat ordeal so didn't want to take any chances.' MailOnline has contacted a representative for Gemma for comment. Gemma, who was a car dealer before shooting to fame when she landed a role on ITV's The Only Way Is Essex, previously spoke about her experience with stalking. She told how she's had 'scary' people turn up at her shop in Essex and send her terrifying letters. She told how it 'played havoc on her mind' and was the reason she stepped away from her front of house work at her boutique in Brentwood. Appearing on the Daily Mail's Everything I Know About Me Podcast, Gemma said: 'No one would believe the bl**dy crap I've had to deal with. 'I've had a woman stalker that wrote me a letter in white gloves and wanted to kill me. 'You know, people would wish me dead. I'd get all sorts turn up at the shop. Weird. People are weird. And that's why in a way I came away from my shop in the end.' In 2019, Gemma was forced to move out of her home in Essex over stalking fears, with removal vans being pictured at the property at the time. She had been stalked by a man that previously fat-shamed her. It comes after Gemma recently told fans how she had been struck down with pneumonia as she explained her absence from social media. Gemma explained that her condition had been leaving her breathless 'really quickly' but due to medics diagnosing it as viral, antibiotics would be ineffective. She told The Mirror: 'It's shocking, I've had it now for over three weeks and I had steroids given to me by my doctor. It was DJ Fat Tony's wedding and I had to take them to get through that,' 'But I'm off them now and the sickness is really kicking back in. It's so frustrating because I normally have so much energy and I'm always loving life, but now I get really breathless really quickly and I feel like I'm dying.' Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection. Most people get better in two to four weeks, but babies, older people, and people with heart or lung conditions are at risk of getting seriously ill and may need treatment in hospital. Taking to her Stories Gemma shared snaps as she underwent X-rays while praising medical staff for their care. She wrote: 'Thank you to all the amazing doctors helping me your real life angels'. Announcing the news of her condition on Wednesday, Gemma shared a photo of herself in bed looking poorly in bed. She wrote: 'Hey guys sorry been quiet i have Pneumonia. I'm not as fast or on it as I usually am on the daily. 'I am still honouring my work commitments which is taking every bit of energy I have but will be back entertaining you all soon.' On her Story she added an update as she showed she was on a drip and had been visited by a doctor. One post that showed a drip in her arm read: 'I'm having to take it easy which is not like me very slow and get so out of breath and tired so quick.' WHAT IS PNEUMONIA? Pneumonia is a type of chest infection that affects the tiny air sacs in the lungs. The condition causes these sacs to be become inflammed and fill with fluid, making it harder to breathe. Pneumonia is caused by bacteria or viruses, with the most common being Streptococcus pneumoniae. It affects between five and 11 out of every 1,000 adults every year in the UK. Anyone can suffer from pneumonia, however, at-risk groups include: Babies and young children People over 65 Those with long-term heart, lung or kidney disease People with cancer, particularly those having chemotherapy Smokers Those on drugs that suppress their immune systems Antibiotics or mechanical ventilator use in hospitals also raise the risk. Symptoms include Coughing up mucus Fever Chest pain Loss of appetite Fatigue In severe cases, sufferers may cough up blood, vomit or have a rapid heart rate. Treatment is usually antibiotics, which may need to be given intravenously in hospital in severe cases.
