Mudeford raft race to make waves again in 2022 after Covid pandemic

MUDEFORD lifeboat's popular raft race is making its welcome comeback at this weekend's Funday event.

The race has been on hiatus since 2018 after dangerous weather cancelled the 2019 edition before the Covid pandemic put a stop to the next two.

The RNLI's Funday event has been taking place in the town for 25 years and is set to return on Sunday from 11am, with the raft races at 1pm.

Kim Skinner, Mudeford Lifeboat Funday committee chair, said: "The Funday event has been going for around 25 years, with the main theme to have fun and raise money for the local Mudeford lifeboat station.

"The local team of volunteers have been meeting and planning throughout the year and my sincere thanks go to all the people involved who have given their time and energy to enable the day to take place.

"We hope to bring you the usual spectacles on the day, with family themed stalls and the funfair, raft race, duck race and air displays.

"The event is free to attend and all we ask is that you help us on the day to reach our goal in supporting the station, by giving any loose change or supporting the raffle, stalls and activities.

"The event relies almost entirely on sponsorship from all areas and on this I must extend our warmest thanks to the numerous event sponsors."

Crews wishing to take part must raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship and that a maximum of 20 rafts can join in the race.

Prize shields will be given to the first three finishers plus awards to the "best dressed" raft and the one that raises the most sponsorship cash.

To join the raft race post or hand deliver completed entry forms to ​RNLI Mudeford Funday / Raft Race Applications, FAO Kim Skinner, 16 Kings Avenue, Christchurch, BH23 1NB.