Making a splash for charity

The Pirates of the Caribbean, a couple of wizards, some very large babies and a group of MPs were among the 180 fundraisers who took to the River Severn last night for charity. The Pirates of the Caribbean, a couple of wizards, some very large babies and a group of MPs were among the 180 fundraisers who took to the River Severn last night for charity. Forty-five teams of four people - many in costumes - entered the 2008 Macmillan Coracle Relay World Championship event at Pengwern Boat Club in Shrewsbury. Organisers today hailed the event a massive success, revealing it was hoped the amount raised would top the £21,000 raised at last year's event. Among the people taking part was Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski (pictured), who took an early dip in the river with a little help from his team. Check out our photo gallery below and read the full story in today's Shropshire Star

The Pirates of the Caribbean, a couple of wizards, some very large babies and a group of MPs were among the 180 fundraisers who took to the River Severn last night for charity.

Forty-five teams of four people - many in costumes - entered the 2008 Macmillan Coracle Relay World Championship event at Pengwern Boat Club in Shrewsbury.

Check out our photo gallery below

Organisers today hailed the event a massive success, revealing it was hoped the amount raised would top the £21,000 raised at last year's event.

Sara Thomas, fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "I think we have exceeded last year's target. It was fantastic."

Among the people taking part was Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski, who took an early dip in the river with a little help from his team.

"I was trying to give him a helpful shove," North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson said, after accidentally tipping his teammate into the river.

But Mr Kawzcynski, who also fell in again later, was not put off by his dip and the team rallied to finish third in their heat behind Book Club Boat Cound and a team from Copthorne Army Barracks, led by Major Anna Stephens.

Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, also fell in, but was able to dry off before later presenting the prizes, which included a gold for overall winners and now world champions Fyrnwy Vets, from Baschurch, led by Jim Tipp.

Major Stephens, from the Copthorne Army Barracks team, said they wanted to join in because of the wonderful work Macmillan does in the county.

"It's just so weird and it's a world championship, and everyone at the barracks wants to see us get wet," she said.

But her team managed to stay dry, unlike Tony Parton from the Telford Tigers team, who took the honour of being the first person to fall in.

Mr Parton, who works for Enterprise, said: "It felt absolutely fantastic to go in. The water's quite warm and I think I might jump in again."

More than 1,000 spectators lined the banks of the river to watch the action, and children enjoyed learning circus skills in a marquee next to the boat club.

And Barbara Edwards and her dog Nick enjoyed the spectacle.

Mrs Edwards said: "We come here every day and we knew this was on. It's very good, and it's nice that it's a dry afternoon."

But it was all in the name of charity with the event helping to raise thousands of pounds for the vital work that Macmillan Cancer Support carries out.