History of the race
In 1976 a small group of members from the Wellesbourne & District Lions Club met with members of the local Ambulance and Fire services to discuss how to raise monies for local worthwhile charitable causes.
The result was a fun challenge between the two services to race homemade rafts 7½ miles down the river Avon to finish at Stratford upon Avon. Others in local pubs, clubs and businesses heard of the race and joined in raising £1,800.
The organisation behind that first race was very basic, the PA system was two handheld loudhailers and a wristwatch was used to time them down the course! The race has now grown to attract teams from all over the UK raising so far well over £500,000 for local, regional and national charitable causes.
The
organisation on the race day has grown to meet the current needs to
operate a safe fun event. The two handheld loudhailers have been replaced
with a major Public Address system providing a full race commentary
throughout the day. A
team of over 60 volunteers man a safety, first aid and radio
communications network covering the length of the race. In addition
we now have a number of races within the main race with each raft
electronically timed over the course and the results produced in
real time on our computer controlled race system.
The event now attracts novelty rafts themed on The Magic Roundabout, Finding Nemo and Aladdin etc. with the teams dressed in costume battling to win their place as fastest in their race section. We also see unusual dress codes - rambos, babies, wild west etc. etc.
We have come a long way from that first race but the objective set by the original Wellesbourne Lions is still the same - to have fun and raise funds for worthwhile charities. This year we are asking the teams to raise sponsorship for the Prince's Trust and local Lions charities. As usual 100% of the monies raised will be distributed to the charities we support, so please support the teams, pledge some money, and come to the finish at Stratford upon Avon recreation ground on Sunday afternoon 21st June and watch the fun!