more than £6,000 has been handed to St David’s Hospice thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors and entrants from the 56th annual Monmouth Raft Race - despite the race not going ahead.

Rotary Monmouth had everything in place for the event due to be held in September with some 60 rafts entered, with various stalls planned for the finish line in Whitebrook.

The event had also attracted more corporate sponsorship than ever before.

But with three weeks to go the event was cancelled - not because of Covid - but because the water in the River Wye was at a dangerously low level.

Despite the cancellation, many of the corporate sponsors honoured their offers of sponsorship, in addition to many entrants allowing Rotary Monmouth to retain their entry fees.

Because of the generous support of entrants and sponsors, Rotary Monmouth made a donation of £6,000 to its main charity benefactor, St David’s Hospice Care.

Norman Williams, race co-ordinator of Rotary Monmouth said: “We as a club are delighted to have received the support from everyone in order to make such a donation to St David’s Hospice Care.

‘‘The event might not have been able to take place but the work of the Hospice continues 365 days a year/24 hours a day and is so well received by all patients and their families locally.

‘‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who supported, but especially to the major event sponsors, Mandarin Stone, Siltbuster, Harrison Clark Rickerbys Solicitors, Robert Price and Paul Jarrold Tyres”.

Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “We are thrilled with the donation after what was again a very difficult year for everyone.

‘‘It just goes to show what loyal, caring supporters we have for the Raft Race.

‘‘We would like to make a special thank you to Rotary Monmouth who once again had everything ready for the event, having planned everything meticulously over many months.’’

And the date has already been set for the 2023 Monmouth Raft Race – Sunday September 3.

For full details on how to enter the 2023 race and anything else related to the event please visit www.monmouthraftrace.com email [email protected] or Kris Broome at St David’s Hospice care on 01633 851058 / [email protected].

The Monmouth Raft Race starts at Monmouth Rowing Club and ends at Tump Farm six-and-a-half miles down river at Whitebrook.