6:39pm Wednesday 15th July 2009
By Emily Allen
WALLINGFORD’S Raft Race has been cancelled despite a new organiser stepping in because of a string of problems.
Cholsey resident Tom McNeill decided to take on the charity race in January following an appeal for volunteers.
But the 27-year-old says he has been forced to throw in the towel because of costly insurance policies, which would have made the race impossible.
Insurance used to be paid for by former organisers the Lions’ Club, which hosted the event for 30 years until the group folded in January for lack of members.
Mr McNeill, of Ilges Lane, said: “There are a number of reasons it has been cancelled, firstly the failure to cover the public liability insurance from a third party.
“In previous years the event has been covered by the Lions policy – to get the appropriate cover for the race this year it would have cost over £500. After making this payment there would be little if any money left to donate to charity, defeating the object of the event.
“I was also hoping to have a greater response to enter the race, with only three weeks until the day I haven’t received any confirmed applications, which is a real shame.
“I hope that a larger organisation with a strong committee, will take this event on for 2010, and make it every success it should be.”
The event, which aims to raise money for local charities, used to draw crowds of 2,000 people to Wallingford Bridge. Up to 30 teams would race home-made rafts made out of drums, barrels and floats.
This year’s event was scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 1.
Former race organiser Mike Byard said: “There is no doubt that this insurance is killing an awful lot of these events. Some of the policies are so expensive, you probably pay more than you have coming in.”
Colin Dolton, who helps organise the annual BunkFest, said it was a shame the event had to be cancelled. He said: “When you put on an event, you need first aid cover, insurance and in some cases toilets, and generally everything is getting more and more expensive.”
wallingford@oxfordmail.co.uk
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