Donations flood in at paddlers' party

There were rapid takings at River Dart Country Park’s end of season paddler’s party hosted last month, as kayakers came together and raised a staggering £1,420 for local charity, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton.

The annual event, this year sponsored by South Coast Canoes, played host to an array of kayaking entertainment. Fundraising events such as raffles and sponsored challenges, including races across the park’s high ropes course, helped to raise the impressive sum.

The River Dart runs right through the middle of River Dart Country Park and is a kayaking hotspot during the paddling season, popular with enthusiasts from across the world.  On the night, guest speakers entertained the audience, including representatives of the British Universities Kayaking Expedition 2015 who spoke about their up and coming trip to Madagascar.

As the kayaking community headed off to hunt for rapid rivers to paddle, River Dart Country Park’s Roger Sell, pictured, was on hand to present the cheque to the Dartmoor Search and Rescue team Ashburton.

Roger comments: “We are delighted with the amount of money raised this year and would like to say a big thank you to all the individuals who came together to make it happen, especially Richard O'Brien for organising the raffle.

"It’s been a good season on the river for the paddlers and last month’s event concluded this year’s kayaking in perfect style.”