Dobbs Logistics follows the ducks in aid of a great cause

An East Sussex haulier has played a leading role in a spectacular live art trail made up of beautifully-decorated 5ft rubber ducks to raise money for the vital work of a county hospice. Dobbs Logistics, in St Leonards-on-Sea, is the official logistics partner of St Michael’s Hospice, which provides palliative care and bereavement support across Hastings and Rother. The Pallet-Track network member has been a key player in the launch of the hospice’s Follow That Duck fundraiser, a Wild in Art event which has seen 30 giant ducks hand-decorated with designs and delivered to the streets, gardens and beaches of Hastings, St Leonards and Bexhill-on-Sea this summer.

After the ducks were imported from Poland, Dobbs stored them 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. The 10-week event has seen the area brought to life by the ducks, to create a free, fun, family-friendly live art trail. 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. Dean 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.”

Follow That Duck runs until September 4 before Dobbs collects the ducks ahead of a gala auction evening on October 7th.