RNLI annual charity raft race faces axe after marshals’ revolt over ‘verbal abuse’ from spectators
The Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) charity raft race could be canceled this year after police officers rioted over “verbal abuse” from spectators.
Last year, members of the Derbyshire 4×4 Response team were shouted insults by people in the crowd when they were asked not to throw things at fancy-dress participants.
Organizers are now scrambling to find more volunteers to meet safety regulations and avoid having to cancel the event entirely.
Spectators at the Boxing Day race at Matlock, Derbyshire, have been known to throw eggs and bags of flour in previous races, with participants often returning fire with water guns.
But organizers have warned that the race could be stopped indefinitely if people continue to throw food.
Mike Whittingham, Chairman of Derbyshire 4×4 Response, said the voluntary organization had already turned down support for 2024 due to limited volunteer availability.
He explained that the voluntary organisation’s ‘primary aim’ was to support emergency services and local communities, which meant many of the essential responders were often busy elsewhere.
They had previously relied on friends and family members to step in for those who could not attend for this reason.
Mr Whittingham told The Telegraph: ‘Unfortunately, last year saw a noticeable increase in verbal abuse and threats towards our volunteers as they tried to stop spectators throwing objects onto rafts.
Spectators at the Boxing Day race in Matlock, Derbyshire, have been known to throw eggs and flour bags at previous races, with participants often returning fire with water guns (Image: Matlock Boxing Day Raft Race 2016)
The Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) charity raft race could be canceled this year after police officers rioted over ‘verbal abuse’ from spectators (Image: Matlock Boxing Day Raft Race 2016)
‘Our members gave up Boxing Day to support a safe, family-friendly event and we felt it was neither fair nor safe to subject our responders or their families to this type of behaviour.’
Mr. Whittingham said volunteer groups and organizers had discussed continuing to participate in a more limited capacity, particularly on car park management and traction assistance.
Organizers used social media in hopes of finding 20 to 25 attendants to fill all spots on the route.
A spokesperson for the event told The Telegraph: ‘We currently have around half the number we need, but we’re hoping for more.’
Teams build their own rafts and navigate an obstacle course that includes weirs, rapids and slalom while wearing quirky matching costumes.
Last year saw 117 rafters take to the course in 21 rafts with decorations including a tank, Santa’s sleigh, a Type 1X U-boat, the Nativity, a pirate ship, a chariot, roadworks, a tennis court, a Coca-Cola truck, a cricket square and an Elton John concert.
The tradition was started by scuba diving friends looking to do something in the winter and has raised more than £150,000 since its inception; Last year’s event raised £3,393.
In 2022, chief organizer Stephen Eyres said bad behavior was putting the entire race at risk.
He told the BBC: ‘We can’t let people go crazy and throw things around. It’s the kind of thing that can shut us down if someone gets hurt. ‘That’s the last thing anyone wants.’
Teams build their own rafts and wear quirky matching costumes to navigate an obstacle course including weirs, rapids and slalom (Image: Matlock Boxing Day Raft Race 2016)
The tradition was started by scuba diving friends looking to do something in the winter and has raised more than £150,000 since its inception; Last year’s event raised £3,393 (Image: Matlock Boxing Day Raft Race 2016)
Organizers have warned the race could be closed indefinitely if people continue to throw food (Image: Matlock Boxing Day Raft Race 2016)
A spokesperson for Matlock Raft Race confirmed that several incidents of verbal abuse had been reported at the recent race.
He said: ‘I have not encountered this type of behavior in the past and frankly found it very disappointing.
‘Every year we put out appeals on Facebook and through our website asking people not to shoot, but it seems some do and become offended when told to stop.’
Police officers will be told this year to avoid getting into arguments with spectators and instead call the police if the crowd throws objects, the official said.
The Daily Mail has approached the RNLI for comment.
