A FIREFIGHTER is organising Liverpool’s first ever “duck race” in the hope of raising £80,000 for a children’s hospice.

Lee Seddon, 32, from Croxteth community fire station, has volunteered at Wirral’s Claire House for the last three years, and has now taken up its Action 10 challenge – take £10 and aim to make as much money as possible.

The event takes place on Saturday, July 10, when Mr Seddon will help to launch 40,000 plastic ducks into the new canal link on Liverpool’s famous Pier Head.

At the same time, about 300 people will take part in the last-ever abseil down the iconic Liver Building, which is being organised by Claire House.

Mr Seddon’s motivation for organising the duck race stems from Christmas, 2007, when he and his colleagues from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service decided to visit the hospice, taking presents to children who were unable to visit Santa’s Grotto.

Further inspiration came from Lee’s late father, Eddie, who was a regular fundraiser through his pub – the Whitefield, in Anfield.

The event’s mascot, Eddie The Duck, was created in his father’s memory.

Mr Seddon said: “I felt I should do something for my dad because he was always trying to raise money for charities.”

Most of the ducks can be bought through raffle tickets sold by people taking part in the abseil, but there will also be some to buy on the day, with larger corporate ducks available for companies to sponsor.

Mr Seddon hopes to use 40,000 ducks in the race, with a £3,000 prize for the winner and a handful of bonus prizes, as well as a consolation prize for the duck which finishes in last place.

He said: “I wanted to do something a little different.

“It is the first year I have done it, so I do not know how it will go. I have not organised an event before – I am just a firefighter.

“It should be a fabulous day out and I hope to integrate the fire service with the community by showcasing what we do as firefighters.

“It is such a good cause and I hope to give back something special to the community.”

Other events taking place on the day will include fire service demonstrations, tug-of-war, cage soccer and the world’s tallest firefighter contest.

To keep up to date on the duck race, follow eddietheduck on Twitter.

FOR more information on the event and donations, visit www.liverpoolduckrace.co.uk