A TEAM of intrepid employees from a Pershore business raised more than £600 as they cast off for a challenging seven-hour raft race.

The team from JMDA Design lined up alongside 52 other competitions on their homemade raft for the race along the river Avon.

With lifejackets on and wearing t-shirts and homemade headbands to add to their racing costumes, the team of six boarded their hand-built raft, named 'Usain Boat' after the Olympic sprinter, and set off on a seven-and-a-half mile course packed with twists and turns, narrow stretches and two weirs to navigate.

The crew had hoped to finish in four hours but after getting stuck in reeds and battling leaks, the team came home last after close to seven hours on the water.

Chris Lester, key designer of the raft, said despite the trials the crew remained positive throughout.

“The team was fantastic on board and never gave up on our goal of finishing the race no matter what the circumstances," he said. "We all had a great laugh, got extremely wet and definitely learnt a lot for next time.

"The support we had from friends, family and spectators was fantastic and all on board want to say a big thank you to everyone who supported us through donations and encouragement."

The team raised a total of £630 which will support the Wooden Spoon Charity, which is dedicated to helping disadvantaged and disabled children across the UK, and help create a new road safety at Blackmarston, a special school in Herefordshire.

The annual raft race, run by the Wellesbourne & District Lions Club, is now in its 40th year and has raised about £750,000 since it started.

JMDA, which designs and develops child safety products, is celebrating its 25th anniversary and has recently become the official corporate sponsor of the Wooden Spoon Charity.