Rotary Raft Race cancelled

The fundraising event had previously been rescheduled to take place tomorrow (Saturday) with 23 teams prepared to take part but the high river level, caused by constant heavy rainfall has made the weir at Princes Drive unsafe for rafters to negotiate.

In a message to the teams, club spokesman Mike Wilkinson said: “I’m so very sorry, but I’m afraid the weather has beaten us all yet again.

“It’s terribly disappointing. Quite simply, the increased river flow has made the weir at Princes Drive too dangerous an obstacle.

“Thank you very much indeed for the hard work and effort you have all put into forming your crews and designing your rafts.

“Those of you who have paid will have your cash or cheques returned to you within the next two weeks by our treasurer Ian Squire

“Many of you have collected large amounts of sponsorship for your chosen charities. This leaves you in a quandary - how to offer it back?

“We hope you will manage to find ways to contact your donors and agree amicable solutions, but I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do about it.

“In the hope that you find you are able to retain your sponsorship and pass it on to your charities, would you please let us know how much you donated, because the Raft Race is our way of helping you to help your favourite charities and we would like to be able to tell the world how much you have raised.

“We also wish to present the Fundraising Champion Shield to the team which donates the most, so don’t hang back.

“Sadly we are unlikely to re-schedule the race again this year.

“You and we have all done everything we could to enjoy a successful event, enough is enough and there’s no guarantee the weather will return to normal this summer/autumn.

“We look forward to running the Raft Race next year, and we look forward to your joining us again for a great fun day.

“In order to contact you by email, phone or letter, we will keep your details on our computer files.

“If anyone would prefer us not to do this, would you please let us know and we will remove your details.

“We cannot run this race without the support of Matt Bishop and his staff at Leam Boat Centre, Warwick Boats, and Canoe Kayak Trader, who provide the River Safety Marshals.

“Please check out the facilities and services they can offer for anything to do with river activities.

“Finally, thank you from our Rotary Club for entering, and a personal ‘thank you’ from me for your many friendly emails and phonecalls throughout.

“Please keep in touch and watch out for our notice of next year’s Raft Race on our website at www.sparotary.co.uk where you can also read what else we get up to and how to join us.”

To justify the £2,300 sponsorship they have generated for the Encephalitis Society, the Coventry Arms team will simulate the raft race at the pub’s yard tomorrow.

Team Bluebird are also planning to to paddle the length of the course when the weather improves.