CORPORATE supporters of the Monmouth Raft Race helped steer organisers Monmouth Rotary Club to hit a record targets for 2014.

An impressive 23-raft entry from DHL enabled the 49th annual race to break through the 100 raft entry target and to deliver a record £39,500 for charity.

Newport-based St David’s Hospice Care, the main beneficiary of the 2014 event, received £25,848 - 75 per cent of the total raised. The rest of the money goes to other local charities.

The total was boosted when DHL, which entered 23 rafts in this year’s event, added a further, match-funded cheque for £5,000 to the pot bringing the total donated to St David’s Hospice Care to £30,848.

Monmouth Rotary Club president, Bob Handley, who presented the cheque to St David’s, pointed out the invaluable support provided to the event by entrants and sponsors.

Monmouth Raft Race 2014 was sponsored by DHL, Basepoint and Mandarin Stone.

Mr Handley said: “We’re delighted that the 2014 raft race was such a huge success. We know that this is in no small part down to the terrific support that we have had from the sponsors this year. We raised a record amount of money and also saw a record number of rafts entered into the event, which was very pleasing.

“We would also like to record our heartfelt thanks to the continued and unerring support of John Cullimore, the owner of Tump Farm, Whitebrook, who each year provides acres of his land for rafts to come ashore and for the family fun day to be staged.”

Emma Saysell, chief executive of St David’s Hospice Care, explained the work of the charity and how the money raised is spent to help pay to provide vital care in the community.

Emma said: “We’re absolutely delighted that this year’s event was so successful. We continue to be amazed at the exceptional support we receive from the Rotary Club of Monmouth, the corporate sponsors and also the wonderful entrants.”

The 2015 raft race will take place on Sunday, September 6, and will once more be raising funds for St David’s.

Monmouth Raft Race co-ordinator Norman Williams revealed they have set a new target to reach in 2015.

“This year we reached our 100 raft target but for 2015, which will mark the 50th staging of the race, we hope to increase that number again and have also set ourselves the goal of raising in excess of £50,000 for charity.”

Norman said: “We thoroughly enjoy working with St David’s. Not only do they provide invaluable support in the community but they also help with the organisation and running of the raft race.”

Entry costs £75 per raft including a commitment to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship.

For full details about the 2015 raft race visit www.monmouthraftrace.com.