Needham Market Raft Race returns with royal theme

This year’s raft race is set to kick off as teams prepare to paddle for victory.

Needham Market Raft Race is only five days away and will start at 12pm at Needham Lake on Sunday, June 18.

The theme of the race is ‘Kings and Queens’ and will see raft teams donning fancy dress alongside their handmade rafts.

There are currently 11 entries so far with raft names including ‘Boatylicious’, ‘Rafty McRaftRace’ and ‘Under The Thumb’.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue have also entered their raft called the ‘Little Red Engine’.

Rafts from three local pubs, The Swan, The Rampant Horse and The Three Tuns, have also entered the race.

Each raft team will be judged at 1.30pm before hitting the water at 2pm where many races will take place to determine this year’s winners.

There is still time to enter and all you need is a team of four people over 16 years old and a raft - more information on entering the race can be found here.

A £20 donation is required from each team which goes towards raising money for charities and businesses in the area.

Over the years the committee has been able to make donations, totalling over £6500, to Needham Market Scout Group, First Responders, Mencap Ipswich, Jam Community Pot, Lighthouse (women’s refuge), St John’s roof appeal, Needham Market Ranger Guides, and SERV (Blood Runners).