Day at the movies for 2016 Deepings Raft Race

Final preparations are being made for this year's Deepings Raft Race and plenty of film stars are being lined up to top the billing.
Youngsters from Deepings Rugby Club's minis section at the 2015 Raft Race.  Photo by David Lowndes.Youngsters from Deepings Rugby Club's minis section at the 2015 Raft Race.  Photo by David Lowndes.
Youngsters from Deepings Rugby Club's minis section at the 2015 Raft Race. Photo by David Lowndes.

This year’s race on the River Welland, between Deeping St James and Market Deeping, has the theme is “Raft Race goes to the Movies” and the starter’s flag goes down from 11am this Sunday when a parade of rafts will flow from the Waterton Arms pub, Deeping St James, to the start line.

Competitors from youth groups, sports clubs, charities and other organisations are encouraged to dress both themselves and their rafts up in keeping with the theme, with more than 30 teams having entered so far.

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Last year, the event raised more than £6,000 which was shared between Dementia Support South Lincolnshire (£4,000) and the Exotic Pet Refuge in Deeping St James (£2,000). There were also smaller donation made to Market Deeping Air Cadets and Deepings Rugby Club, both of which helped out at last year’s Raft Race.

Motorists are advised that a number of road closures will be in place for the Deepings Raft Race, including Bridge Street, Deeping St James, and Market Place, High Street and Church Street, Market Deeping, with diversions in place.

Entries are accepted right up to the morning of the race and, alternatively, if you would like to help crew but don’t have a raft there may be one with a spare slot. The day also features a variety of classic cars and bikes on display, funfair, music and dance demonstrations, two “bus bars”, competitions for the best fancy dress and much more.

This year’s charities are the Deepings Community Centre, Market Deeping, and the charity MECP2 Duplication UK which helps people born with a rare chromosome disorder MECP2 duplication, causing possible speech and learning difficulties, seizures and chest infections.

For more information or to enter a raft, visit www.deepingsraftrace.co.uk or call Kevin on 07703 016492.