It's official - the ducks have gone National! Last night on the Chris Evans Drivetime show on BBC Radio 2, Billy and Ellie got a mention during the "Office News" slot!!! How great is that? Our little ducks - on National radio!!!

The subject we got on with is duck racing - its my new hobby and probably the only time in my life I'll ever win a race. I was never a sporty kid at school, I was only chosen once to compete in an event on Sports Day, it was the 800m and I came 5th - out of 6! But it seems I've finally found my niche, my strength, it could even be considered a party piece! And I win every single time!

Now I know most of you will think it's not really much to shout about - being able to out-run a duck, but you should see the speed of these little fellas - their legs are a blur! They resemble those plastic bath toys that you get, the ones that you wind up and their legs go like the clappers. It really is a sight to see as the three of us race from one side of the office to the other, the sort of thing they'll pay you £250 for on "You've Been Framed", now there's a thought!

I've just got to tell you about the fantastic day we're having here at The Adventure Farm today. Now, pretty much every day is fantastic here at Booth Bank Farm, but today is worthy of a special mention. Today we have a group of kids and foster carers in from Manchester Foster Carers Association (MFCA). We've brought these kids and their Carers together for a wonderful fun day, but one with a difference. It was brought to our attention by those inspirational people at MCFA that many of the "looked after" kids they support have never been to the beach, played in the sand, paddled in the sea - which we think is a crying shame.

So today, for one day only, the Adventure Farm has become a beach! We have a huge sand pit, a swimming pool (well, a really large paddling pool but the kids don't mind), wind-breakers, buckets and spades, a children's entertainer, outdoor games (including a limbo bar!) and a fantastic team of Activity Staff and volunteers determined to make this a day to remember. We have a stage set up which will be the venue for our very own Battle of the Bands competition - with the kids as the stars of course! To round it all off, there will be a delicious BBQ party! Impressive eh?

But these kids really do deserve everything we can do for them, they have had to deal with difficulties that most of us couldn't, or wouldn't want to, contemplate - and we feel honoured to be spending a whole day with them. The day has been paid for by Awards for All, which is one of the smaller National Lottery grants schemes. So, to all of you who have handed over your £1 each week and crossed your fingers, thank you - you've given these children a day they will remember for a very long time.