Quacking time had by charity racers (+video)

Local ducks down at Hamurana Springs had their water invaded over the weekend - but it was all for a good cause.

This month is Westpac Chopper Appeal month and as part of the appeal the local Westpac team put on a rubber duck race on Saturday to raise funds for the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter.

Westpac employee Laura Schuman organised the event with the help of her team at Westpac and BayTrust pilots Ben Fry and Barry Vincent.

"It was so much fun. When I woke up and it was really windy I almost cried, but then the weather got nice for the race and it was a really good turnout.

"We were given free reign to organise something and I had done a duck race before. It was really easy to get donations and sponsors because as soon as you say 'chopper' people know it's a good cause, people step up.

"A lot of people just donated as well, even if they didn't buy a duck.

"We had about 25 sponsors who all helped make the event happen."

She said they sold 531 ducks, and was keen to organise another event next year, and would be aiming for 1000 ducks if the event was repeated.

"We ordered 500 and they sold out so I went around all the $2 shops in Rotorua and found 31 more, so Rotorua now has a shortage of rubber ducks. We would have sold heaps more."

Mr Fry said the event was really good and he thought they had a great turnout despite the weather.

"Considering the weather when the race happened we were really lucky, the sun came out just in time.

"We got all 500-odd ducks down safely ... there was a crowd of about 200 people.

"We definitely will look at running it again next year. The first time is always an unknown but now we have it figured out we will be able to make it even better. We would like to say a big thanks to the Westpac team and everyone who bought a duck and sponsored the event."

All the profits, which were still being tallied, will go to the Rotorua BayTrust Rescue Helicopter.

- To donate towards the Westpac Chopper Appeal head to www.chopperappeal.co.nz