RNLI 24th Charity Raft Race at Portrush

The 24th Charity Raft Race for Portrush Lifeboat station took place on Saturday 28th May 2005. Despite bad weather over fifty rafts took to the water raising over £20k for the station according to the Lifeboat Operations Manager James Heaney.

The craic was mighty even though the weather was so bad and the results were as follows:

1st Overall - winners of the Raft Race Cup donated by David Martin Jewellers
	'Sure and Steadfast' - Dundrod B.B.	Best Dressed Crew photo courtesy of Clare McCafferty
2nd Overall	'Barrel of Laughs' - Loughall
Best Crew Dress	'Millenium Falcon' - Causeway Hospital and the Tax Office combined raft
Best Named Raft	'Soggy Bottom' - Londonderry YMCA
Most Sponsorship Raised	Gemini Homes
Children's Race Winners	Daniel and Dylan Coyles

Sarah Travers and Alan Simpson did a great job in entertaining the crowd and keeping everyone's spirits up.

After the service The Harbour Bar/Bistro, The Blue Duck Restaurant and The Yacht club all sent representatives to take part in the truly International Waiters Race which raised a further £200. The countries represented were Greece, Holland, Portugal and of course Portrush! Holland represented by Olaf from the Harbour Bar and Bistro won the day, with Portugal as Best Dressed Competitors represented by Duarte from the Blue Duck!

The Crew and Raft Race Committee would like to commend all those who took part to raise much needed funds to keep the two lifeboats maintained and afloat.

On Sunday there was a good turnout for the Church Service on the quay, with Ballywillan band providing the music.

All in all a good weekend was had by everyone and preparations are well under way for the Silver Anniversary Raft Race in 2006!

We would love to see your photos of the event, and hear about the good time you had - please do email us at press@portrushlifeboat.com.