Volunteer plea for 'under threat' Ironbridge Coracle Regatta

The race is held in Ironbridge Gorge every August

Organisers of a long-running boat race in Shropshire have said the event is under threat unless more volunteers and sponsors come forward.

The Ironbridge Coracle Regatta has been held on August bank holiday since 1881, but rising costs means the group behind it may not be able to keep it running.

Coracle paddlers from all over the country take part in the race on the River Severn, organisers said.

Anyone who can help is asked to attend a race meeting on 14 March.

The Ironbridge Coracle Trust is a small charity of seven local people who organise the event and said its £2,000 cost was "a big ask of such a small organisation".

'Wonderful group'

They needed more help in the pre-event organisation as well as funding to cover some of the core costs, such as toilets.

The flat-bottomed boats are built by weaving strips of wood into an oval-shaped frame

A spokesperson for the trustees said the race was an established community event in the Gorge.

"We are helped in delivering the event by a wonderful group of people, who give their time to keep this a free, fun event for the local community," they said.

"We are extremely grateful for their support, but the trust need more help in the pre-event organisation and funding to cover some of the core costs such as toilets, first-aid bins.

"Therefore, depending on the support that we receive, only then we will be able to decide if we can run the regatta this year and in the future."

The meeting at the New Coracle Shed at the Green Wood Centre, Coalbrookdale, will set out what is needed and how people can help, organisers said.