Raft Race simulation at pub

Staff and regulars at The Coventry Arms in Rugby Road, Milverton, decided to simulate what would have been their effort in last year’s Leamington Rotary Raft Race on the River Leam.

With the race being cancelled due to safety concerns over the river flooding the team set up their raft in the pub’s beer garden and had spectators throw buckets of water over them to simulate the conditions the wet and wild conditions they would have had to face.

The team said; “Paddling across the English Channel would have been less stormy”.

Their efforts won the pub the event’s Fund Raising Champions Shield for the fourth year running.

In total the team raised £1,987 - giving £1,812 to the Encephalitis Society and £175 to the Royal Leamington Spa Rotary Club’s chosen charities.

The support for the Encephalitis Society was inspired by team member and pub regular Hayley Sugars whose sister Lauren Bingham died of the inflammation of the brain disease aged only 13 in 1998.

Mrs Sugars said she is full of admiration for the work done by the society in its efforts to promote clinical research and its support of affected victims and their families.

Despite the raft race being cancelled the 20 teams which signed up to take part raised £2,000 for a wide variety of good causes.

Diabetes UK is the charity chosen by The Coventry Arms this year and the team are eagerly revamping their trusty raft.

They will be competing with other pubs, clubs, societies and companies in the race to raise money and support for their chosen charities.

The 2013 Leamington Rotary Raft Race is Scheduled for Saturday June 15 starting at 12.45pm at Jephson Gardens and finishing three miles down the river at Myton Fields in Warwick.

Rules and entry forms are available by contacting rotarian Mike Wilkinson on 07831 516875, emailing [email protected] or or visiting www.sparotary.org.uk