The 52nd staging of the annual Monmouth Raft Race, organised by Monmouth Rotary Club, raised the magnificent sum of £14,808 for St David’s Hospice Care.

The Newport-based hospice was the principal beneficiary of the 2017 event receiving 75 per cent of the funds raised with the balance going to other local charitable causes supported by the Rotary club.

Monmouth Rotary President, Sandra Davey, visited St David’s Hospice Day Care Centre, Malpas, Newport with fellow Rotarians, to tour the new £5m inpatient centre which opened earlier this year.

Mrs Davey said: “Monmouth Rotary Club were delighted to be able to demonstrate our continued unique bond with St David’s Hospice Care by handing over the cheque for money raised from the Monmouth Raft Race.

“We were also very pleased to be able to have a guided tour of the wonderful new hospice facility.

“We are thrilled to have been able to donate such a marvellous amount of money to St David’s Hospice Care to help them to continue to provide vital hospice and related services to those suffering life threatening illnesses throughout our community,” she added.

The 2018 Monmouth Raft Race, organised by Monmouth Rotary Club, will take place on Sunday 2nd September.

Entry costs £75 per raft including a commitment to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship.

For full details about the 2018 Monmouth Raft Race, including online or postal entries, visit www.monmouthraftrace.com or call Monmouth Raft Race secretary, Rotarian David Forbes on 01600 712665.