What a way to spend a Sunday morning!

With our feet nicely placed on terra firma we donned our wetsuits, buoyancy aids and helmets and prepared to face the raging waters at the National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham.  After a safety briefly (which would later come in much needed use!) we took our positions and oars and started to gently paddle across a calm stretch of water to the start of the course – this really was the calm before the storm!

Our first 2 runs of the course were fast, furious but we all remained in the raft, a little wet but ready for round 3!  With confidence on our side and having seen some other rafts ‘surf the rapids’, we were not about to be outdone by a stag group in another raft so opted to do the same.  The concept was simple; reverse down a rapid and paddle furiously once on top of it.  The front of the raft then submerges itself before popping out to continue down the course.

However……

Having successful surfed the wave and submerging the front, our raft popped out and caught a wave the wrong way, which caused the raft to capsize, throwing all the crew into the water and trapping a few of us under the raft and water for a few moments. 

Drawing on the safety briefing from early, we all managed to re-surface and began to cling to the side of the raft, like our lives depended on it!  Some were plucked from the raging waters and hauled onto the top of the raft (which was now upside down).  Others were left clinging, riding the rapids in the water but by the end of the course we were all safe and ready for the next run.  Needless to say, we opted out of any rapid surfing this time!

It was, for a short time, a scary experience but one we are all glad we went through and thoroughly enjoyed.  For some, fears were conquered; others achieved something they thought they never could.  It really was a gutsy performance from all who took part and aside from the personal achievements, and with money still coming in, the group will have raised over a £1000 in aid of Wakefield Hospice.

Wakefield Hospice is a registered charity that is close to all our hearts.  The hospice has spent the last 19 years helping, caring and supporting individuals and their families as they face a life threatening illness.  On average, it caters for nearly 300 in-patients and 1,800 day therapy attendances every year.  No charge is made for care, so the hospice relies heavily on fundraising initiatives and the generosity of the community to help meet its yearly running costs of approximately £3 million. 

80p of every £1 donated is spent on patient care!

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Wakefield Hospice gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

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