MARY Stevens Hospice supporters are invited to take part in a quacking good summer fundraising event.

The Black Country Duck Race and Family Festival will take place at The Waterfront, Merry Hill, on Sunday July 9.

The race will start at 3pm and the owner of the first duck to cross the finish line will win a £100 first prize and be crowned winner of the Mick Bailey Duck Trophy 2023.

There will also be family activities and entertainment taking place from noon.

Red by Night will provide live entertainment all day, and there will be various craft and small business stalls.

There will also be traditional games and food stalls serving all day.

James Totney, community and events fundraiser at the hospice, said: “We are very excited to make a splash this year at a new venue.”

The event has previously been held on the canal at The Delph, Brierley Hill, with past events attracting more than 1,000 people.

James added: “We are always delighted to see so many people join in with the duck race and support the hospice at the same time.

"Each year it is just wonderful to see the smiles on everyone’s faces as the ducks enter the water, and we can’t thank our community enough for turning out in force each year to help us raise funds so we can continue to provide our vital services now and in the future.

“Without them and the continued support of local businesses, we would be unable to reach the £3.5 million we need to raise each year.”

There are several ways to enter a duck into the race.

People can buy a £3 duck online via the hospice website, buy them at the event on the day, or get a ticket from Bailey’s Fishing Tackle, Red by Night, Prosperity Wealth, Waldron’s Solicitors, Ten Cups Coffee Shop, Coventry Building Society, Van Leeuwen, or Metro Bank.