A crack team of highly-skilled engineers and support staff are putting a considerable amount of power into their fourth attempt at the strength sapping Rotary Club of Monmouth Raft Race.

Siemens, which operates and maintains the Severn Power Station at Nash, Newport, is entering two rafts into this year’s event, Lucky Severn 1 and Lucky Severn 2.

The annual Rotary Club of Monmouth organised event, which starts in Monmouth and ends 6.5 miles down river at Tump Farm, Whitebrook, is limiting places to 100 rafts this year.

Now in its 51st year the hugely-popular race, which principally raises funds for St David’s Hospice Care, will be staged on Sunday, September 4.

The event is sponsored by DHL, Basepoint, Mandarin Stone, Siltbuster and Module IT.

Sue Bennett, raft race organiser for Siemens, Severn Power Station, said: “This will be our fourth time of entering the race. We all enjoy the day very much. We take part because it’s great fun, generates good team spirit and it raises funds for St David’s Hospice Care. We also purchase a pitch at the finish for our families to enjoy the fun too. The raft race is a brilliant team building event both during the construction stage of the rafts and on the day.

“We have two rafts entered. One is designed for speed the other is more for fun. The two captains are operation engineer, Lee Bradley and I&C technician, Darren Wagg.

“St David’s Hospice has been our site’s chosen charity for the past six years. We support and raise money throughout the year in many ways for the charity which serves our local community so magnificently.”

Monmouth Rotary president Roger Finn said: “We have been organising the race for 14 years and in that time the event has gone from strength to strength. We’re delighted to welcome Siemens to join us for the fourth time.

“We have cemented a unique bond with St David’s Hospice Care over the last 12 years that we have been working with them as our nominated charity in the raft race and look forward to helping raise a record amount of money for them again this time.”

Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “As always Siemens are really up for the raft race challenge and look likely to register a strong performance as well as have a lot of fun along the way this year.

“We’re thrilled that Siemens are continuing to support St David’s Hospice Care and entering two teams this year. We are looking forward to welcoming others prepared to take part in one of the best and most fun events of the entire summer.”

Monmouth Raft Race starts at Monmouth Rowing Club and ends at Tump Farm six-and-a-half miles down river at Whitebrook where there are stalls, food, live music, a beer tent and entertainment.

Entry to the Monmouth Raft Race 2016 costs £75 per raft including a commitment to raise a minimum of £100 per raft in sponsorship. For full details, online or postal entries, please visit www.monmouthraftrace.com or call raft race secretary Rotarian David Forbes Telephone 01600 712665 or Kris Broome at St David’s Hospice Care on 01633 851051.