Arundel bathtub race diary

The race will start at 2pm from the Riverside Tea Gardens and Bistro, next to the River Arun, bringing the event into the heart of the town for the first time.

And there is still time for late entries to create a craft – telephone organiser Martin Harvey on 01243 826183 or for more details see the website www.arundelbathrace.co.uk

Other attractions along the river will include craft stalls and a bouncy castle, a display of beautiful owls and vintage vehicles from Amberley Working Museum, together with music by a DJ and a bar and barbecue on the riverbank.

The race is once again in aid of Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice, at Poling, and in the latest entry in her pre-race diary, community fund-raising manager Alison Unsted describes the final preparations by the Chestnutters Ahoy! team...

CHESTNUTTERS Ahoy! The winning team…

This is what next week’s headline will read – well that’s what we hope. Our newest recruit, Shelley, has added an extra dimension to the team – blind optimism and, I quote: “Losing is not an option!” Our fantastic Team GB has got a lot to answer for.

So, we are in the final stages of our preparation for the 2012 Arundel Bathtub Race. The team have been at their training camp all week honing, their paddling skills and carb loading, so their level of fitness will be at its peak for Sunday.

They have employed a nutritionist – I am not sure our top athletes do eat pasties, doughnuts and chips before their races, but they assure me this is integral to execute their winning plan.

We are having fun putting this all together, ready for the race but the real winners in all of this will ultimately be the families who use our services. By doing this event we are continuing to raise the profile and funds for Chestnut Tree House, the children’s hospice for Sussex.

Lou, our community nurse team leader, has helped launch our new neonatal care service, which will allow parents of babies of less than a month old to spend precious time with their baby in a place of their choosing, whether that is at the hospice or at home. Please come along and support us on Sunday at the annual Arundel Bathtub Race by cheering on our fabulous team –Chestnutters Ahoy! And if you would like to donate, please visit our JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/chestnuttersahoy

You can also visit us at our stall beside the River Arun on the day and become the Olympic Chestnut Champion for Speed Stacking!

Good luck to everyone taking part and if you do see four ladies in a tub going the wrong way, please give them directions, or a pasty!