This September, 165,000 rubber ducks will be let loose on the River Thames as part of the Great British Duck Race to raise money for charities.

The 1km race, which will start near Hampton Court Palace on Sunday 2 September, aims to set a new world record and raise over £500,000 for UK charities.

The current world record for a duck race is currently held by the Singapore Duck Race, which in 2001 sold and raced 123,500 ducks, raising $1,200,000 (SGD). The Great Britain Duck Race is aiming to smash that record by racing 165,000 ducks.

The rubber ducks, each with their own number, will be dropped into a holding pen before being released into a 50 metre channel of the Thames and swept off down the river by the natural current. The first duck to cross the finish line will win a £10,000 cash prize, with more prizes for the next 30 ducks to cross the line.

CHASTE (Churches Alert to Sex Trafficking in Europe) is asking Christians to adopt a duck at just £2 each to raise funds for its vital work in supporting churches as they help combat sex trafficking in Europe.

"Its just a small amount of money, and a bit of fun and is another great way to support CHASTE so get your friends involved and encourage those poor old ducks!!" said the charity, adding, "You'd have to be quackers not to."