Paddling nerves are building for festival’s bathtub racers

There is less than two weeks to go until the Arundel Festival Bathtub Race sets sail in the River Arun on Monday, August 25.

And the crew from Crossroads Care South Central will be taking part in the bonanza but concern is mounting among them – about their paddling technique.

The Climping-based charity knows only too well how important it is to work in unison. The care provider has seen the benefits of working in partnership with Carers Support West Sussex and the Carers Health Team to be a county-wide support for carers.

Crossroads Care is this year’s charity of the year for the bathtub race.

Cash collected on the day will go towards providing events in the county for carers and the people they support whose hard work can often go unnoticed.

Geoff Coleman, chief executive of the cause, said: “It never ceases to amaze me what lengths my staff will go to to promote and raise money for this charity. The fact that one of the crew members is also sky diving the week before the bathtub race demonstrates the passion to help carers. The work we have done with Carers Support, Carers Health Team and supporters like Sainsbury’s and Arundel Brewery has enabled the charity to continually grow the work that it does for carers in the community.”

Paddling with the crew from Sainsbury’s Littlehampton, the team’s aim is to keep the Flintstones-themed vessel afloat and complete the course in style. Dressed as Wilma and Betty characters, the staff will communicate with other crew members to keep in time and on course.

Along the river, the crew members will rely on each other to work together and support one another when they begin to get tired.

Next week, the team will be unveiling their finished tub.

There’s still time to join the fun. For details on how, see www.arundelfestival.co.uk