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New Brighton RNLI has added another accolade to their list. This past weekend, they won the Chester Raft Race for the second year running, with their Star Wars-themed vessel claiming the overall winners' prize on Sunday, as reported by Birkenhead News.
As the heat stayed all afternoon, the crew took to the water in their TIE Fighter-inspired raft. And yes, they did wear stormtrooper costumes and surprise 'rocket booster' effects. The craft was built, painted and tested over several weeks by station volunteers.
This year's race perfectly fit their theme - out of this world. It was organised by Rotary Chester and Chester Grosvenor Round Table and raised funds for Space Cheshire and the Martin Gallier Project.
As if winning the race wasn't enough, they came second in the Best Dressed category, losing to The Harkers' Arms, a pub based in Chester.
Volunteers on dry land had a pop-up fundraiser going, which raised a total of £358.
Last year, they won with the Mersey Belle – Rescue II, a 'best of British'-themed raft named in honour of New Brighton's first ever lifeboat.
The Chester Raft Race has a long history itself, running for over 50 years, and is one to look forward to in the North West social calendar.
James Siddell, Chief Raft Engineer at New Brighton RNLI, said: "The Chester Raft Race is an amazing event run by wonderful people. You can see how much joy it brings to everyone who comes out to see the phenomenal efforts made to construct such different and innovative rafts each year."
He recalled that everyone had fun last year, so they wanted to compete again. He called the win a "lovely surprise".
Siddell also credited the organisers and other race participants for the event's success. Most importantly, he confirmed they would be back next year, hopefully to make it a hat trick.
