The Cowes Cardboard Boat Race returns in 2016, but this year organisers won’t be requesting an entry fee, instead they’ll simply be asking you to try and raise as much money as possible for their chosen charity, UKSA.
The race was very popular in 2015 and promises to be bigger and better this year. There’s a call for volunteers, so why not consider helping out at this fun fundraising event?
Bet you didn’t know that
Dennis Jones shared a little-known fact about the organiser of the boat race, Tony Downs.
He said,
“Tony, the organiser of the cardboard boat race, is a man who many will know, but not many will know a lot about.
“Ask those who have shopped in Cowes and they’ll tell you about the friendly man, dressed as a pirate (Tony loves dressing up to raise money for charity), or they’ll talk about the great customer service they receive from the man who just loves to talk.
“However, not many people will know that Tony is also a Gold medal winner for Great Britain, at the Atlanta Paralympics in 1996.”
Tony explains,
“The British team I was with won the Disabled World Championships at Rutland 1994, we then won the European disabled at Mar Menor Murcia (Spain) 1995.”
He went on to say,
“After winning various races the team were selected to represent GB for the Paralympics in Atlanta 1996.
“After much training and competitions, we managed to win for our country at the Paralympic games in Atlanta 1996.”
You can find out more about that on the Cowes Cardboard Boat Race Website.
More information
You can find out more about the race (the date and location yet to be confirmed) as well as register (from March) to take part by visiting their Website.
You can also find more race information for 2016 on the Website.
Image: © Emma Gee
