IN LITTLE over a month’s time, teams will take to the river for the 40th annual Raft Race.
And organisers have announced the Stratford-based Rosconn Group are to be this year’s headline sponsor.
The company’s support will pay for the safety teams on hand on the day to look after the competitors – and to help them negotiate the two weirs en-route.
This year’s 40th anniversary Raft Race – organised by the Wellesbourne and Shakespeare Lions – is set to take place on Sunday, July 24.
The main beneficiary will be Heart of England Mencap, which works to support local people with learning disabilities, and race bosses will be hoping to add to the £750,000 total the event has raised since it first began back in 1976.
Daniel O’Donnell, Rosconn Group Managing Director, said: “Working with local communities is very much at the heart of what we do and we are committed to supporting that community in every way we can.
“We feel very honoured to be the headline sponsor for this year’s Raft Race, supporting the Lions and Heart of England Mencap – a charity we have formed a very strong link with.
“They do such great work with a broad spectrum of individuals and we applaud that dedication. Our aim is to work closely with organisations such as these as they make a huge difference to the lives of vulnerable people who need some support.”
Cath Errington, Fundraising Manager for Heart of England Mencap, said: “We are so grateful to Rosconn Group for their support, which makes a real difference to a small charity like ours.
“We are thankful to the Lions too for choosing us as the main beneficiary this year – and to all of the teams busy getting their rafts ready for the day.”
There is still time to sign-up for this year’s race, which will see teams paddle their homemade rafts 7.5miles down the River Avon from Wasperton to Stratford.
Visit www.raftrace.org.uk for further information.
