Local organisations in North Kintyre are set to benefit financially from funds raised as a result of this year’s Tarbert Raft Race.

Raft Race poster

This week, the event’s organisers announced that a total of £800 would be distributed to local groups.
Tarbert Parish Church will receive £400, whilst Tarbert Music Centre, which provides free tuition in traditional music to school-age children, has been awarded £200.  A further £200 will go to Tarbert Loch Fyne Yacht Club, which develops the skills of young local sailors through its Topper dinghy programme.
In addition, the Fire Brigade Benevolent Fund will receive £400, whilst Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Preservation Group  –  which supports the Raft Race by displaying its vintage fire engines at the event  –  will be given £100.
Anne Horn, Secretary of Tarbert Music Centre, said: “It’s fantastic to receive this money from the Raft Race at a time when, in order to ensure that the classes continue for the foreseeable future, the Music Centre committee is striving to explore all possible sources of funding”.

Tarbert Loch Fyne Yacht Club

Andy Peden, Commodore of the village Yacht Club, said: “The donation of £200 to the Yacht Club is great news, and will be really appreciated.  The money will be used to help keep the community’s kids on the water.  It’s a credit to the Raft Race organisers that they have the foresight to fund the goodwill of the community from the proceeds of this enjoyable event.  Well done!”
Parish Church Treasurer Alex Horn commented: “Our church is a landmark building in the village, and its upkeep involves huge costs, so any donation, such as this, towards its maintenance is always a great help”.

The Parish Church, Tarbert Loch Fyne

The Raft Race, which in recent years has become an annual fixture in the Tarbert summer festival season, is organised by firefighters and friends of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue’s Tarbert station, and is supported by Tarbert (Loch Fyne) Harbour Authority amongst others.
Full financial details of the 2011 event are available here.