Over the years, previous custodians of the race had worked
extremely hard to ensure that the event was well supported
from the local community, and from much further a field.
Indeed, the drive and determination needed to ensure the
continued success of the event remained strong for many
years.
However, during the early part of the 1990’s
the impact of dwindling committee membership signalled
a downturn in the fortunes of the race to the point
where in 1997, barely a handful of raft race teams participated.
It was at this critical point in the history of the
raft race that local Deeping residents, who themselves
had participated in the event on numerous occasions,
pledged to save the event from disappearing altogether.
Richard Ash, Richard Fox, Phil Chappell and Mike Shattock
made an undertaking to completely rejuvenate the event
and set about injecting a new lease of life in to the
Deepings Raft Race.
Much hard work and effort was required of them in order
to stem the tide of despondency that had begun to grip
the race at that time. Thankfully, this resolve and
determination quickly paid off and within the space
of two years the Deepings Raft Race was completely transformed
back to former glory days.
The momentum that was set in motion has completely
reinvigorated the event and nurtured a new and totally
committed organising committee. Thanks to this new team
the event has undergone a complete transformation in
terms of support, active participation and physical
size. The rapid growth and development of the Deepings
Raft Race has significantly increased the ability of
the event to raise much needed funds for worthwhile
causes locally.
The Annual Deepings Raft Race has now become the largest
event of its kind in Great Britain - a testament to
all of the hard work and commitment of the current organising
committee. |
