Shrewsbury Coracle World Championships set to smash £250,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support

Paddlers will take to the River Severn on Friday – some in elaborate fancy dress – with only a small round fibreglass boat between them and the water.

The event has raised more than £230,000 since it began in 2008 and now, in its 11th year, organisers are hoping it will top £250,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support’s work in Shropshire.

A team from McMillan Masonry has won the competition for the last three years, so organisers are waiting to see if another team can challenge the tried and tested champions.

Kate Thomas, Shropshire fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "On behalf of Macmillan we are absolutely delighted that the event has sold out again this year with 48 teams entered.

"The Rapid Relief Team will be providing the catering on the day and there will be a Macmillan cake stall and the bar will be open at the Pengwern Boat Club.

"To date we have raised £230,000 so we are going to smash the £250,000 mark this year which is absolutely incredible.

"The money all goes back to supporting Macmillan in Shropshire and the services that we do.

Participating

"All spectators are welcome to cheer on the teams."

Shropshire house builders Galliers Homes are on board as headline sponsors for the championships, and also have 10 teams of four participating.

A raffle and soft drinks will also be available on the day.

There are 40 Macmillan professionals working in Shropshire, some in nursing posts specialising in areas such as lung, skin, head and neck, urological cancers, as well as chemotherapy treatment and palliative care.

There are also specialist therapy posts, a team of welfare rights staff, two GP facilitators, psychological support and a cancer information support team.

Last year there were 17,000 people living with cancer in Shropshire and by 2030 this will rise to about 27,300.

Almost 3,000 people in Shropshire are diagnosed with cancer each year and 902 people die from the disease each year.

The race will begin on Friday at 2.30pm.

For more information visit coracleworldchampionship.co.uk