FUNDRAISERS are hoping to net a quacking amount of money at this year's Swindon Duck Race.

The event, organised by the Old Town Rotary club, was launched at the Nationwide Headquarters yesterday and hopes to raise £10,000 for the Swindon-based Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Movement (Calm). Attending the launch were Old Town Rotary club members Trevor Embling, Chris Firth and Peter Haywood, Calm representatives Jo Telling and Marianne and Richard Crowley and Nationwide's Richard Olner, Michelle Leighton and Jean Trace.

The event, which is sponsored by Nationwide, will take place on Monday, May 28, at the Westcott recreation ground, in Wootton Bassett Road.

Thousands of toy ducks will be launched into the River Ray and their owners will be cheering them on from the sidelines.

It is the seventh year the event has been held.

All of the money raised will go towards rebuilding an 18th Century well in the Walled Garden at Lydiard Park.

Once it is complete it will act as a focal point in the garden for Calm members to rest by and remember their loved ones.

Jo Telling, of the charity, said it was fantastic.

"It is really great and helps all of our children that are ill. We are so excited about the well."

Old Town Rotary club president Trevor Embling said: "I have chosen Calm as a charity because of the work this local, all-volunteer group does with leukaemia sufferers. We are delighted to have the sponsorship of Nationwide, which enables us to make this event such a success."

The first duck to swim over the finish line will win their owner £1,000.

Second place will win £300, third place £100 and the next two ducks to cross the line will each bag their owners £50.

There will also be the Drake Race for Businesses. Each drake costs £50 and the winner will be presented with an engraved, cut-glass bowl.

Ducks cost £1 and go on sale next week.

They are available from Blooms garden centre, Asda Wal-Mart, Old Town Co-op, Morrisons, Spot On models in Fleet Street and certain Arkells pubs, including the Saracen's Head in Highworth and The Rat Trap, in Stratton.