Giant duck trail across Hastings, St Leonards, and Bexhill set to end this weekend

Follow That Duck, arranged by St Michael’s Hospice to raise awareness of the challenges they face, has been ongoing in the region since June 24.

The 10-week event has seen the area brought to life by the ducks, to create a free, fun, family- friendly live art trail.

Dobbs Logistics, a family-owned St Leonards business, has been a key player in the launch of the hospice’s Follow That Duck fundraiser.

The company stored the ducks for the hospice before delivering them to artists up and down the country, collecting them after they were painted and delivering them to their final destinations.

Dean Harmer, business development manager at Dobbs Logistics, said: “It didn’t take us long to make the decision and accept the role, as it’s a great cause and a great event in the community.

“It’s been quite a journey for us as logistics partner, with a lot of involvement from our team.

“We took receipt of 30 ducks and 21 ducklings and stored them and once the artists were commissioned, we then delivered the ducks to the artists. This was all over the country – in Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Ipswich, Dorset and London – and took nearly four weeks to complete.

“We then returned to the road to collect them again and keep them in storage. It was quite strange seeing lots of ducks in a row in our warehouse!”

Dobbs then hosted a preview evening to give the artists and sponsors of each duck a chance to come and see them before the start of the event.

Mr Harmer added: “We then spent two days delivering the ducks, starting in Bexhill on a Thursday evening, then to St Leonards and Hastings early the next day,”

“It certainly attracted lots of attention, with members of the public seeing ducks being walked down the street!

“It’s a great event which has already proved to be hugely popular this summer and we’re delighted we could be involved.”

After the event concludes, the ducks will be collected by Dobbs ahead of a gala auction evening on October 7.

St Michael’s Hospice provides palliative care and bereavement support for approximately 1,700 people per year across Hastings and Rother.

For more information, please visit the Follow That Duck website.