IT’S nearly that time again for Monmouth’s annual raft race, ready to take place in September.

This years5 59th race is going to be held on Sunday September 6 in aid of raising proceedings which will go towards St David’s Hospice Care, Monmouth Rotary Club and the Seven Area Rescue Association.

Monmouth Raft Race starts at noon at Monmouth Rowing Club which is just off the A40 at Monmouth. It is followed over 6.5 miles down the River Wye to finish at Tump Farm in Whitebrook where there is a family festival which offers entertainment and refreshment opportunities.

Lots of companies enter as it offers a great opportunity for team building exercises. Last year companies varied from Fox’s and Burtons Biscuits in Cwmbran, GB-Sol and Mandarin Stone and participating at the event saw a variety of themes and costumes from Vikings and Romans and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Last year’s raft race saw almost 35 teams take part and they managed to raise almost £14,000.

St David’s Hospice Care is a Gwent-based charity which provide free, at-home care for those who are facing life-limiting illnesses. Their support offers care to those who can help people live and have the best quality of life at the patient's home of at the hospice.

It is believed that the raft race was initially started by the Monmouthshire Young Farmers Club and then it was taken over at some point by the Monmouthshire Conservative Association.

The event is most loved by the Monmouth community as they gather to watch all rafts make its way down the River Wye in hope to see whose raft is going to swim or for some ones which might unfortunately sink.

You can enter this year’s Raft Race, here: monmouthraftrace.com