THE 49th staging of The Rotary Club of Monmouth Raft Race 2014 is well over half way to reaching its target for 2014 with 55 rafts already signed up for the charity fundraising event. Organisers have a long held wish to exceed the 100-entry mark and if things continue as they are at present then that aim could very well be reached. And hitting the ton could be thanks in part to a flotilla of rafts entered from a single firm DHL, which has entered 20 rafts already and there could be more. The Monmouth Raft Race, to be held on Sunday 7th September, is organised by The Rotary Club of Monmouth and sponsored by Mandarin Stone, Basepoint as well as DHL, raises funds for St David's Hospice Care and other local charities. Norman Williams, of Monmouth Rotary Club said: "It's brilliant to know that we already have 55 teams entered at this stage in proceedings. "There are always some that leave it to the last minute to enter and regulars that I know will enter but haven't sent in their details as yet so it could well be that we reach the magic 100 mark this time." The event raised more that £25,000 for charity last year with a major chunk of that money going to St David's Hospice Care Norman said: "Although it's called a raft race, most crews treat it as a fun afternoon on the river with their friends. Many entrants persuade their employers or local pub to enter a raft on their behalf." Kris Broome, of St David's Hospice Care, said: "There is nothing else quite like the Monmouth Raft Race for its fun, spectacle, inventiveness and the creativity of the entrants and their crafts." The raft race starts from the steps of Monmouth Rowing Club and finishes 6.5 miles downriver at Tump Farm in Whitebrook, where there is a family festival with food, live music, children's fairground and a bar. Entry costs £75 per raft including a commitment to raise a minimum of £100 per raft in sponsorship. Online entries can be submitted by visiting http://www.monmouthraftrace.com">www.monmouthraftrace.com, or call raft race secretary, Rotarian David Forbes on 01600 712665.