THOUSANDS ARE ONCE again expected to flock to the banks of the River Lossie this summer as the annual RAF-organised Raft Race takes place.
Sunday, August 7 will see the event that this year has named two charities as the main beneficiaries – MFR Cash for Kids and ‘Lucky 2B Here’, while the event sponsors will be Cummingston-based firm Tullochs.
With this being an Olympic year, the theme set for the race is ‘Rio Olympic Carnival’ – teams entering the race, it is hoped, will dress themselves and their rafts to match that theme, with prizes awarded for the best team costume and raft design.
Flight Lieutenant Ollie Harbridge is once again co-ordinating the organising team on behalf of RAF Lossiemouth. He said: “The Lossiemouth Raft Race is a well-known and well-loved event and last year was a great success – but we always want to raise more money for our nominated charities and this year I hope it will be bigger than ever.
“The commitment from Tulloch of Cummingston to support the Raft Race for the next five years really helps us cover some of the costs of running this event. This gesture will help contribute more to the nominated charities. So I’d like to thank Mr Tulloch for his company’s generosity.”
John Tulloch, managing director of the building company, added: “Being a local company employing many people in from the town, and having a long term commitment to building new homes in Lossiemouth, we are delighted to become involved with one of Lossiemouth’s main outdoor events of the year.
“I hope to have a Tulloch’s team entered in the race this year – although I’m not sure our construction skills will necessarily give us an advantage building rafts.”
As is the custom, groups and businesses interested in providing stall or entertainment at the Raft Race are being asked to complete the relevant forms by visiting the ‘Events’ page on the RAF Lossiemouth website.