Get Your Ducks in a Row!
Support Trent Rowing Club’s Easter Duck Race and Help Build a New Boat Barn
Trent Rowing Club is excited to announce the launch of a brand-new community fundraising event – the Trent Duck Race, taking place on Saturday 4 April 2026.
This family-friendly event will see hundreds of sponsored ducks race down the River Trent, all in support of an ambitious and vital project: the creation of a new boat barn and training space for the club. The additional facilities will allow Trent Rowing Club to welcome more young people, families, and community members into rowing and watersport, helping the club grow for generations to come.
Why We’re Fundraising
Founded in 1863, Trent Rowing Club is one of Burton upon Trent’s oldest sporting institutions and is run entirely by volunteers. In recent years, interest in rowing has grown significantly, and our current facilities are now at full capacity. This means we’re unable to offer places to everyone who wants to get involved.
A new boat barn and training area will:
Create safe, modern storage for boats and equipment
Expand opportunities for juniors and beginners
Support community participation and wellbeing
Secure the long-term future of rowing in Burton
Match Funding Boost from Sport England
We are delighted to have secured conditional match funding of up to £15,000 from the Sport England Movement Fund. This means that every pound raised through the Duck Race and our Crowdfunder could be doubled, dramatically increasing the impact of each donation.
Community Support in Memory of John Hayward
The campaign is being proudly supported by Ask the Chameleon, a specialist procurement consultancy led by Rachel Hayward, who is backing the project in memory of her late father, John Hayward former President of Trent Rowing Club for more than 35 years.
John was a passionate advocate for sport, community, and helping others. His belief in opening doors for young people continues through this campaign.
“Securing Sport England match funding is a huge vote of confidence in what the club is trying to achieve,” said Rachel Hayward, Founder of Ask the Chameleon and Marketing Derby Bondholder.
“This is about investing in opportunity, community and long-term impact and ensuring my Dad’s legacy of opening doors for young people continues. Rowing meant a great deal to him and he believed in doing what you could to support your community.”
How You Can Get Involved
Local businesses, families, and individuals can support the cause by sponsoring a duck – either as an individual or through Corporate Duck Sponsorship, which offers a fun and visible way to back grassroots sport while helping unlock vital match funding.
Event Details
Date: Saturday 4 April 2026
Time: 10am – 1pm
Start: Stapenhill Gardens
Finish: Trent Rowing Club Boathouse
Extras: Refreshments available and opportunities to meet club members and volunteers
Enter the Duck Race
To sponsor a duck or make a donation, visit:
https://crowdfunder.co.uk/p/ducks-in-a-row
Together, we can get our ducks in a row and help build a brighter future for rowing in Burton upon Trent.
