Stockton’s mayor braves white water rafting for RNLI

Councillor Bill Noble, a retired merchant seaman who used to be based at Eaglescliffe, was keen to try his hand at white water rafting as despite his extensive knowledge of the sea, he had never tried this particular type of aquatic challenge. The white water moves at seven tonnes a second and for experienced rafters the flow rate can go even higher to 10 – 12 tonnes a second.

He said "I love the Tees Barrage and during my time as Mayor I have done two walks and a cycle ride along both banks of the river, to promote healthy living but this white water raft experience will be something quite different!"

British Waterways, which runs the Tees Barrage and the Stockton Middlesbrough Initiative (SMI) have supported the Mayor’s brave fundraising effort.

Alan Slater, British Waterways’ river manager for the River Tees, said: "We have world class facilities here at the Tees Barrage so we’re pleased to be able to welcome the Mayor and support his money raising efforts. White water rafting is becoming more and more popular here and I’m sure the Mayor will enjoy the challenge ahead!"

Les Southerton, project director, SMI said: "I have every admiration for the Mayor having a go at white water rafting here at the Tees Barrage. It is a great fun, and very pertinent way to raise money for the RNLI and I am sure he will enjoy it so much he will want to do it again! Hundreds of people enjoy the white water rafting here in Tees Valley and he shows it is definitely something for everyone."

In the last two weeks alone the Mayor has raised a total of £2,000 for both the RNLI and the Great North Air Ambulance and that figure will be increased by Monday’s event.

The Tees Barrage white water course was built at a cost of £10.5m 13 years ago as a response to Margaret Thatcher’s famous walk in the wilderness in September 1987 and is on a list of potential training camps for the 2012 Olympics.