A flotilla of rafts from a single employer is set to smash the entry record for The Rotary Club of Monmouth Raft Race 2014.

Logistics firm DHL, which has entered a couple of rafts in the race in previous years but this year will field no less than 18 crafts on the river –and there could well be even more.

The Monmouth Raft Race, now in its 49th year, raises funds for St David’s Hospice Care and other local charities.

The event has attracted corporate sponsorship from Mandarin Stone, Basepoint as well as DHL this year. It is now well on target to be bigger and better than ever when it is held on Sunday, September 7.

Norman Williams, of Monmouth Rotary Club, said: “The 18 rafts from DHL is certainly the biggest entry by a single employer since Monmouth Rotary Club have been running the event, which is over the past 11 years and I would think, probably the most ever. We occasionally get three entries from a single employer but nothing more.

“Already some 50 crews have entered, including the 18 from DHL. This is a fantastic effort from DHL. The firm is encouraging their depots around the country to enter a raft this time so we may well have even more entries from DHL.

“We had 72 rafts at last years’ event and more than £25,000 was raised for charity. This year it is hoped that we will be able to break the magic 100 of rafts taking part which will allow us to raise even more money for charity.”

The event sees crews build their own rafts and have a crew of between four and 10 people.

Norman said: “Although it’s called a raft race, most crews treat it as a fun afternoon on the river with their friends. Many entrants persuade their employers or local pub to enter a raft on their behalf. It’s a great publicity opportunity and building a raft is a good team building exercise.”

Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “There is nothing else quite like the Monmouth Raft Race for its fun, spectacle, inventiveness and the creativity of the entrants and their crafts. The event is a major fund raiser for St David’s Hospice Care and we're extremely grateful to sponsors, entrants and to Monmouth Rotary Club, for all that they do to ensure it is a success year after year.”

The raft race starts from the steps of Monmouth Rowing Club and finishes 6.5 miles downriver at Tump Farm in Whitebrook, where there is a family festival with food, live music, children’s fairground and a bar.

Any business, or individual, looking to enter a raft in the race should visit www.monmouthraftrace.com for full details on how to enter and also the entry cost.