Peter Varrall in his capacity as chairman of the Deal and Walmer Chamber of Trade (www.dealandwalmerchamber.co.uk) was approached by John Tricky of the Deal, Walmer & Kingsdown Carnival and Regatta Association (www.dealcarnival.moonfruit.com) and asked if he would like to sponsor the raft race as it didn't have any one and was the only carnival event with out any support.

Peter said that he thought it would be a good connection between Britannia Castles and sea based carnival event as "Britannia rules the wave".

Peter is also a member of BNI (www.bnisandwich.co.uk) Business Network International which is a business referral breakfast club. He challenged his fellow members to build and enter the raft race. Nigel Stevenson chapter director organised a team to design and build the craft, this consisted of Steve Meech, Shawn Hopper, Stuart Loader and Jamie Thompson.

The crew members for the day were Stephanie Hayman, Nathan Stevenson, Steve Meech, Shawn Hopper, Andy Martin and Bart Brown. The craft was named the BNI Enterprise and was the best looking of crafts entered and came in a respectable sixth.

John tricky said "he was pleased with the way the event was supported this year thanks to Britannia Castles generous support of the event, the number of rafts entered this year was up a 100% on last year".

Britannia Castles will continue to sponsor the raft race next year and will do their best to promote the event further. Peter said "we are pleased to be able to help John and the Carnival team in this small way.

Britannia Castles of Kent recently supplied 2 vehicles for the Marie Curie Ladies Driving Challenge held at Kent International Airport. This was a fund raising event where the ladies had to raise at least £100 to be able to drive in this Challenge.

The vehicles were divided into 5 sections Fire Engines, Buses, Recovery vehicles, Rigid Lorries, and Articulated vehicle which included our Draw Bar Unit.

"Peter Varrall said it was great to see the big smile on every woman's face as they got out of the vehicle after each drive".

The event was such a success that they have raised £10k for the charity which will continue to provide high quality nursing, totally free, to give people with terminal cancer and other illnesses the choice of dying at home supported by their families.

For more info about the work of Marie Curie, please click the link to the website www.mariecurie.org.uk.