Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury firm splashing out for Coracle World Championships

Shropshire house builders Galliers Homes have got on board as headline sponsors for this year’s coracle world championships in Shrewsbury.

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Kate Thomas of Macmillan Cancer Support, Craig White and Louise Dwyer of Galliers Homes

The company, which builds a range of housing developments throughout the county, has been announced as principal backer for the popular annual race, held in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Kate Thomas, the charity’s Shropshire fund raising manager said she was thrilled to have secured Galliers’ help for the event, to be held on September 14 at Pengwern Boat Club in Shrewsbury.

“We are delighted that, after several years of taking part in the Coracle World Championships, Galliers have become the headline sponsors," she said.

“The race is now in its 11th year, having to date raised over £230,000 for our charity in the county, and the aim is to smash quarter of a million pounds this year.

"A huge thank you to Galliers and we are all looking forward to another fantastic event.”

Louise Dwyer, technical manager with Galliers, based on Shrewsbury Business Park, explained that this was the fourth year that the firm had been involved in the championships.

“Macmillian is an absolutely brilliant cause close to many people’s hearts and I'm proud that the race is our firm’s main fundraiser for this year," she said.

“We are aiming to enter at least three teams, made up of staff and contractors, and having won trophies in the past for most money raised and best fancy dress costumes, this year we are going all out to collect even more sponsorship, involve as many people as possible, stay dry by not falling into the river and maybe even be crowned world champions.”

She said that in total Galliers had raised around £5,500 in sponsorship over the last three years.

Jayney Davies, chairman of the organisers, commented: “Galliers have always entered into the Coracle World Championships as a fun and generous team. We are very excited to be working with them as the main sponsor. Last year the coracle race was over subscribed and it looks like 2018 will be the same, so we are asking teams to get their entries in quick.”

Details can be found at coracleworldchampionship.co.uk

Anyone wishing to sponsor the Galliers teams can visit justgiving.com/teamgalliers