This is all set to be a golden year for Monmouth Rotary Club as it organises the 50th Monmouth raft race, on Sunday 6th September. Over 80 rafts have so far entered from as far afield as Yorkshire, Norfolk and Hampshire, although most entries are from crews representing local businesses.

The 50th anniversary is a very special milestone for the Club. Last year, the event attracted over 100 rafts and raised almost £40,000 for charity. For the 50th year of the event the Club are striving to find additional entrants and sponsorship, and to raise £50,000.

The event has attracted major sponsorship from Mandarin Stone, DHL and Basepoint, that covers the organisational costs, whilst other businesses are contributing by sponsoring individual awards. Namely, Monmouth based companies Siltbuster and Jolly Clothing as well as the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism Association and Module IT from the Forest of Dean.

The main beneficiary of the raft race is St David’s Hospice Care, receiving 75% of the money raised, with the remaining 25% going to other charitable causes supported by Monmouth Rotary Club.

The raft race is a fun afternoon on the River Wye with friends. Crews design and build their own rafts. The event starts at noon at Monmouth and finishes 6.5 miles downstream at Whitebrook, where a Family Festival, with a hog roast, traditional side stalls, children’s fairground rides, live music, and local ale, creates a great atmosphere.

For full details about the 2015 raft race and the Family Festival at the finish, please visit www.monmouthraftrace.com or call raft race Co-ordinator, Rotarian Norman Williams, on 01291 680016.