Raft race sets sail after U-turn

Money raise goes towards the lifeboat station in Mumbles

Mumbles Raft Race is to go-ahead this year following a change of heart over policing costs.

The event, which raises thousands of pounds for the lifeboat station in the seaside village, had been in doubt.

South Wales Police had told organisers they would have to contribute £3,000 towards the cost of policing under the force's new policy.

But officers have now said they will not be a charge this year although the situation may change in the future.

The raft race has long been a major crowd puller in Mumbles Gary Tanner

Last year a crowd in excess of 20,000 watched from the foreshore in Swansea as more that 40 home-made rafts took to the water.

Around £11,000 was raised on the day.

Gary Tanner, one of the event organisers, said it was a relief they would not be faced with a policing bill.

"It's nice to know that all the money raised will be going towards the lifeboat," he said.

"We try to keep the costs down and fund the raft race through corporate sponsorship so none of the donations are touched.

"The money raised this year will be going towards the new lifeboat which is due in 2006.

"The race has long been a major crowd puller in Mumbles - especially since the demise of the carnival.

"We had more than 40 rafts last year but I'm expecting more than 50 this year as there's been a lot of new interest which will hopefully be reflected in the money raised."

South Wales Police has started charging for policing certain events as the force says they divert officers away from their normal duties.

Inspector Bill John said each event was assessed on a case by case basis.

"Whenever we allocate officers to attend at any event whether it be charitable or for commercial gain those officers have to come from somewhere.," he said.

"What we will do is look at every event on an event by event basis to make sure we are charging the appropriate sum or if indeed there is a charge to be made."

This year's raft race takes place on 29 August.