Plans are afoot to bring a popular fundraising event back to Inverness this summer. With a fair wind and the support of The Highland Council the relaunched River Ness Raft Race will raise funds for MFR Cash for Kids and Highland Hospice.
The River Ness Raft Race will invite teams of four to build their own rafts and race them down the river on Sunday 26th August. The day begins with the decorated rafts, on their floats, congregating at Bught Park beside the Fisherman’s Carpark, where they are judged on their originality and humour before the start of the races which take place beginning at the Fisherman’s Carpark and finishing at the Greig Street pedestrian bridge.
Rafts are taken out of the river at Friars Shott, the gravel bank near the Waterfront Bar. The Waterfront kindly provide food to all competitors and the day finishes with a prize-giving outside this venue.
Highland Hospice Community Fundraiser Katie Gibb said, “We are so excited to be reviving the Raft Race. It was first staged in Inverness in 1978 and quickly became a firm favourite with both locals and visitors. It is fabulous to be working in partnership with MFR Cash for Kids, and we hope that the new Raft Race will be bigger and better than ever before!”
Lyndsay Rose from MFR Cash for Kids added, “We can’t wait for this event in August, and are urging teams to get their ideas together now and register. There are two categories – one for companies and another for non-profit organisations, so gather your friends or colleagues together and make your raft!”
An additional part of the event is the Loch Ness by Jacobite Nessie Race which takes place after the Raft Race. Numbered plastic Nessies will be £2 each, with fabulous meal prizes donated by the Waterfront Hotel for first, second and third place.
To view full rules or to register for the Raft Race, visit www.mfr.co.uk/ness
Teams of 4: Corporate teams £100, Not for Profit teams £50
