Bournes Removals in Rye took part in a community programme and recently boarded a recycled raft constructed from plastic barrels and bits from old Bournes vehicles.

Tom Bourne of Bournes Removals in Rye recently took part in the Rye Raft Race. The annual event is organised by the Rye branch of the Lions club, the largest organisation in the world, which aims to initiate and carry out programmes that will make their community a better place to live. Teams pay an entrance fee to participate and raise funds by getting their team sponsored for the race.

Those brave enough to take to the river in this contest are responsible for building their own raft and racing up and down a stretch of the River Rother in Rye whilst usually being pelted with flour bombs, ketchup and water balloons from an unrelenting crowd observing from the banks.

A variety of local companies, sports clubs and organisations take part with a range of theme’s and types of craft – Tom (who is responsible for recycling at Bournes) constructed his raft this year from plastic barrels, bits of old Bournes vehicles and other recyclable items disposed of by Bournes customers, even the paddles were home made!

This year the race was particularly tough with bad weather meaning freezing temperatures with the tide against the teams and a strong wind seeing one unlucky team (who were overturned by their competition) floating way off course and battling for a long time to re-join the race. Tom’s team came fourth, but yet again he is complaining that those coming ahead of him were on rafts ‘more like boats’ … excuses, excuses.