There was a Duck Race on the River Ock yesterday. The owner of the winning duck received a Kindle Fire.

Thanks to Elizabeth for the pictures. The event was organised as a fund raising venture by Thames Water for the Helen and Douglas House hospice.

Thames Water employees were holding events in 8 of the Helen and Douglas House charity shops during the day for fund raising and to help their own customers.

Abingdon turned pink once again today, Saturday 24th September 2016, as Abingdon based Charity ‘Against Breast Cancer’ held their annual Splash of Pink Day.

Mr Hemmings Traditional Morris Dancers were there to entertain as were other local community groups, and the timeless Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

There were lots of volunteers helping. Some were having pies thrown at them for donations.

The Abingdon Fire Brigade were letting children explore the fire engine.

There were lots of cakes, and stalls, as in all the other years when there has been a Splash of Pink.

‘Against Breast Cancer’ fund research, and say on their website ‘The ultimate goal of Against Breast Cancer is to prevent secondary spread, which is the main cause of breast-cancer related deaths.

Our research addresses critical gaps in scientific resources and knowledge to help doctors diagnose and treat breast cancer faster and more effectively, and to understand factors that increase or reduce the risk of secondary spread (read more here).

The Oxfam Shop in Abingdon has a rainbow window made of mostly scarves and a few books.

My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.

Poem by William Wordsworth

John Gledhill, the Leader of the 2nd Abingdon Sea Scouts, will be attempting to walk the entire length of the Ridgeway National Trail on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (20th, 21st and 22nd May) – a distance of 86 miles to raise funds for his scout troop. The JustGiving page is at: https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/2ab-ridgeway-challenge

The 2nd Abingdon Sea Scouts are a Royal Navy recognised troop of 10 – 14 year olds. Leaders aim to provide the young people with opportunities and challenges that many wouldn’t get elsewhere. The money raised, as well as money raised by scouts themselves over the summer, will enable them to visit, and take part in scouting activities, with a scout troop in Italy.

(photo taken at Clubs and Societies Day)