Natural stone and porcelain products importer Mandarin Stone has renewed its sponsorship of the annual Monmouth Raft Race.

The Monmouth-based business, which has a large warehouse at Wonastow Industrial Estate in the border town also has showrooms across Wales and England, including Primrose Hill, in London.

The business, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is a solid supporter of the Monmouth Raft Race.

This will be the seventh year in succession it has been a sponsor of the event.

The annual Monmouth Raft Race is organised by Rotary Monmouth. The 54th Monmouth Raft Race will be run on Sunday, September 1.

The main recipient of funds raised through the staging of the event is Newport-based St David’s Hospice Care.

Mandarin Stone is a leading importer of natural stone and porcelain products to the UK.

The family-run run business is still expanding and searching for new locations for its distinctive showrooms throughout the UK.

Alma Small, of Mandarin Stone, said: “For the seventh year running Mandarin Stone is proud to be sponsoring Monmouth Raft Race. We feel it’s essential to support such a important local charity, St David’s Hospice Care, who ultimately provide care and support for those close to us.

“The event has a fun, community feel and with many of our staff based locally to Monmouth. It’s a great way of bringing families together as well as taking part in the event itself.”

Established in 1989 Mandarin Stone has a warehouse in Wonastow Industrial Estate as well as 11 showrooms throughout Wales and England.

Norman Williams, of Rotary Monmouth, said: “Mandarin Stone are not only stalwart and valued supporters of the annual Monmouth Raft Race but also enter a craft in the annual event which is very much appreciated.

“We’d now urge other businesses to follow Mandarin Stone’s excellent example and become a sponsor of the event as well as enter a raft into this year’s race.”

Emma Saysell, chief executive of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “The annual raft race is wonderful for the money it provides for the charity and the way in which it helps raise the profile of the charity, how it shines a spotlight on the care we provide and the other work that we do and also that of Monmouth Rotary.

“Business sponsorship is a vital part of the whole Monmouth Raft Race mix which is why the continued and reliable support of Mandarin Stone is of such importance to the entire event, for which we are extremely grateful.”

Rotary Monmouth president, Patrick Chatterton, said: “Staging the annual Monmouth Raft Race is hard work but well worth the effort when you see the enjoyment it brings to the teams that enter, the people at the start, finish and along the route and the amount of money raised for St David’s Hospice Care and other charities.”

Monmouth Raft Race 2019 will be staged on Sunday, September 1. Entry costs £75 per raft including a commitment to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship.

For full details about the 2019 Monmouth Raft Race, including online or postal entries, please visit www.monmouthraftrace.com or call Monmouth Raft Race secretary, Rotarian David Forbes on 01600 712665 or Kris Broome at St David’s Hospice Care on 01633 851051.