St David's Hospice Care has received a significant boost of £11,144 from this year's Monmouth Summer Raft Race. The popular event, organised by Monmouth Rotary Club and supported by the Severn Area Rescue Association, saw dozens of teams take to the River Wye to raise vital funds for the local charity.
Challenging Conditions Fail to Dampen Spirits
Despite facing difficult conditions on the day, with low water levels on the River Wye leading to a reduced number of entries, the community spirit shone through. A total of 35 teams still participated in the annual spectacle. Their collective efforts resulted in almost £14,000 being raised, with the lion's share of the proceeds being donated directly to the hospice.
The cheque was formally presented to St David's Hospice Care chief executive Emma Saysell by Rotarian Norman Williams, with Rotary Club president Bill Parnell also in attendance.
A Two-Decade Legacy of Community Generosity
Emma Saysell expressed profound gratitude to the Rotarians and the wider Monmouth community for their ongoing generosity. She revealed a staggering milestone: since the Rotary Club took over organising the raft race in 2004, the event has now raised an incredible £300,000 for the hospice's work.
This community support is absolutely critical. Saysell explained that St David's Hospice Care, which supports people across South-East Wales, must raise £9.3 million every year to deliver its specialist services. Notably, only 28% of this funding comes from the NHS, placing a huge emphasis on charitable donations.
The Impact of Every Pound Raised
The funds raised directly enable the hospice's 100-strong outreach team to provide care for approximately 1,500 people each year in their own homes and communities. This work alleviates pressure on the NHS and provides invaluable support to patients and their families during challenging times.
Monmouth Rotary Club president Bill Parnell praised the effort, stating that the raft race perfectly demonstrates the dedication of Rotary members and their supporters in raising funds for good causes at local, regional, and national levels.
The success of this year's event, even under testing circumstances, underscores the deep-rooted commitment of the Monmouth community to sustaining the essential palliative care services provided by St David's Hospice Care.
