IT’S in a bit of a sorry state at the moment but Gwent Girlguiding have designs on a ‘previously owned’ craft they’ve borrowed to enter this year’s Monmouth Raft Race.

An advance party from Gwent Girlguiding homed in on the beached raft at St David’s Hospice Care’s depot in Cwmbran.

Andrea Rodley, County Commissioner Gwent Girlguiding, from Magor, said: “It’s ideal. All the basics are there, all we need is a bit of imagination and some spit and polish and we’ll be ready to get going.

“Gwent Girlguiding have been involved in various St David’s Hospice Care events in the past but this’ll be the first time we’ve entered the Monmouth Raft Race. We were delighted to discover St David’s Hospice Care had one to loan for the day. It’s now up to us to make it as eye-catching and comfortable for our crew of eight who are all from Monmouthshire and Newport.”

Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “Getting a raft together for the race can sometimes be a bit daunting for first timers so we were very pleased to be able to offer one we had made earlier to the Gwent Girlguiding to use on the day. We have one other similar raft left here at the depot so anyone thinking of entering needs to get in touch with us quick.”

The 53rd staging of the annual Monmouth Raft Race 6.5 miles downriver from Monmouth to Whitebrook, is on Sunday 2nd September. The principal beneficiary of this years’ raft race will again be St David’s Hospice Care.

The main sponsors for the Monmouth Raft Race event is again David Wilson Homes, who are building the new housing development at Kings Wood Gate in Monmouth, and Mandarin Stone.

Siltbuster Ltd of Monmouth, Harrison Clark Rickerby’s solicitors from Ross on Wye, and Jolly Clothing of Monmouth, have each agreed to sponsor an award. The Rotary Club of Monmouth, which organisers the annual event, has several more awards and would welcome an approach from any other organisation willing to become an Award Sponsor.

Please email Rotarian Norman Williams at [email protected] for details.

For full details about the Monmouth Raft Race visit www.monmouthraftrace.com or call raft race co-ordinators Rotarian Norman Williams on 01291 680016, or Kris Broome at St David’s Hospice Care on 01633 851051.

Gwent Girlguiding has a just giving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/girlguiding-gwent or sponsors can search for Girlguiding-gwent.