The 56th Monmouth Raft Race, taking place next month is attracting huge support from local businesses.

All 12 category awards have now been sponsored, making a significant financial contribution to the event on Sunday September 4.

Their suport is also helping to maximise the amount donated to charity.

The latest to come on board are Ogi who are installing fibre broadband across the town, MCL Logistics, GD Environmental and Jolly Clothing who are supplying T Shirts for entrants.

In addition to the latest sponsors, the Monmouth Raft Race is sponsored by Mandarin Stone, Harrison Clark Rickerbys Solicitors, Siltbuster, Tri Wall and Paul Jarrold Tyres.

The annual raft race, organised by Rotary Monmouth, raises funds principally for Newport-based St David’s Hospice Care, and covers a six-and-a-half mile stretch of the River Wye from Monmouth to Whitebrook.

The unique event, challenges teams, private individuals, pubs clubs and businesses, to construct a raft of their own design and then navigate 6.5 miles of the beautiful River Wye.

Since stewardship of the raft race was taken over by Rotary Monmouth in 2004, the event has raised a staggering £341,898 for St David’s Hospice and other local good causes.

Norman Williams, of Rotary Monmouth, said: “We are always hugely impressed, each year, with the sheer imagination and creativity of our rafters, not just to choose a theme, but then to recreate that as a raft.

‘‘We’ve had some incredible designs over the years and I’m confident that 2022’s entries will be no exception. There is a trophy for the Best Themed raft, voted for on the day by spectators.

‘‘It’s great to put the raft race on again this year after the trials and tribulations of lockdown”. We are very pleased with the level of entries, but there is still room for more. The entry list remains open until 2nd September”.

Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “We are proud to be associated with such a well-established event. It’s a real treat every year to work with Rotary Monmouth to deliver his well-organised, safe charity challenge.

“The hospice benefits greatly from this magnificent event. The more people that enter and support Monmouth Raft Race means boosting funds raised which in turn helps us to continue to carry out the work that we do throughout our community, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

The raft race, a fun afternoon on the river, starts at noon at Monmouth Rowing Club (Just off the A40 at Monmouth) and rafters paddle 6.5 miles down the River Wye to the finish at Tump Farm, Whitebrook, (courtesy of the Cullimore Family) where there is a Family Festival of entertainment and ample refreshment opportunities

All sponsorship monies received by Monmouth Rotary Club from persons taking part in the Monmouth Raft Race will be donated to St David’s Hospice Care (75 per cent) and other charities supported by Monmouth Rotary Club (25 per cent).