In 1978 an organization was founded to raise money for local charities, by means of challenging competitors to race rafts on the river Wye from Hay on Wye to Chepstow. A crew of 10 would paddle the distance of 100 miles, adhering to the rules set by the organizers. The charity was 'CHAR' Committee for Hereford Amateur Rafters. Each crew would be supported by a team of volunteers and the whole race would camp in a field by the river on each of the 4 nights. The event would become so popular, it lasted until 2018, although there were years when for various reasons it did not take place. The heyday was the 1980's when the race attracted a high volume of entries and a huge following. These photographs from the 1980's show two rafts, #1 'Banshee Brigadier' and #4 which was crewed by most of the same crew and both years finished high up the order. Millions of pounds were raised for charity by this popular race, which passed through the counties of Powys, Herefordshire and Gwent. The Author's father 'Gwyn Davies' was a member of both crews with his friend 'Dave Decker'.