FOR more than 40 years money has been raised for good causes by teams taking part in a charity raft race down the River Wye – originally starting in 1978 as a demanding 100-mile challenge over a four-day period.

The race originally began as a bet between two pubs, and has continued over the long Spring Bank Holiday weekend most years since.

As time has gone by the race, which was organised by Patricia Hales until 2018, has adapted to challenges it faced and had more recently been cut to 75 miles.

In the last race organised by Mrs Hales, it was a real test for competitors as they paddled through torrential rain, thunder and lightning storms, and at times brilliant sunshine.

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A year later, in 2019, the race still went ahead despite Mrs Hales retiring as her son took over the organisation of the annual tradition.

In this picture gallery, we’ve reproduced dozens of pictures from the annual event. Are you, or anyone you know, pictured?

Did you ever take part in this gruelling test, which in its first year took the winning team 28 hours over four days to reach the finish line?

Whether you spent your bank holiday weekend watching on from the banks of the river Wye, or furiously paddling a raft the 75 or 100-mile distance, you can email any memories you have to news@herefordtimes.com.

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