The event now in its 30th year takes place on Sunday 30th August is the largest sea going raft race in the country and
attracts entries from all over the United Kingdom all raising much needed funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Competitors can chose between a gruelling race from Blue Anchor Beach to Minehead or a shorter fun race from opposite Butlins to Minehead Harbour. This gives the serious rafters the opportunity to compete in often difficult conditions whilst enabling the fun and fancy dress teams to enjoy the event. Raft Race organiser Derek Williams commented “as this is our 30th anniversary we want this year’s event to be the biggest and best yet. In 2008 we raised nearly £12,000 and it would be great to eclipse this”. Derek paid tribute to the generosity of the local business community ” it is heartening that even in these difficult economic times local companies feel able to support the RNLI, we are hugely grateful to Butlins and the business community of West Somerset” As a charity the RNLI receives no Government funding and costs in 2008 Lifeboats were launched over 8000 times manned by volunteer crews. It costs in the region of £339,000 per day to run the service and ensure the volunteer crews have the very best equipment and training needed to handle the arduous conditions in the seas around the British Isles. You need to before you can do that! It’s only a quick registration process to join the AMA network and completely free.
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