Raft race Sunday

LEWES and District Round Table holds its Lewes to Newhaven Raft Race on Sunday, starting at 11.30am from Lewes Rowing Club, off South Street.

This will be the 27th such race, with some 16 rafts competing, and this year's theme in Golden Jubilee year will be Great British Achievements.

Said a spokesman: 'Our main beneficiaries for monies raised from this year's race will be local youth projects, whilst many other different charities will benefit directly from monies raised by particular rafts.

'Over the past 27 years we estimate that in excess of 500,000 has been raised by the raft race, either directly through the event or through sponsorship of the rafts themselves.'

Last year's winner was Nautilus 1 in a time of 1 hour 36 minutes; second were the Yellow Hats in 1 hour 42 minutes. The most devious means of getting down the river was Mike's Masterpiece and the best decorated raft was Zorba.

Some 2,000 was raised from last year's event which was split between Chailey Heritage School and the Round Table's Children's Wish charity.

Appeal

Said chairman Paul Mundy: 'We would like to remind all spectators that hard objects including stones and eggs must not be thrown at those taking part or watching.

'Lewes Round Table will be making every effort to ensure that this does not happen. The safety of all crews will be our first priority on the day.

'I would like to thank all our sponsors, especially Bunzl Vending Services, for helping us to cover the cost of staging this year's event.'

The real stars of the actual day are of course the crews themselves, many of whom construct their rafts to an impressively high standard.

The race is more arduous and the water colder than many realise and people are asked to come and support the rafts and those taking part at the start, on the way and particularly at the finish.