Black Fern pair up for auction in charity raft race

Black Ferns Sosoli Talawadua (nee Tofa / former WHS student) and Toka Natua have volunteered their services to help a team make the finish line in style at this years Raft Race.

The big rubber duckies are back on the river so it must be time for the annual Plumber Dan Raft Race.

Each year, Whanganui plumber Dan Goldsworthy organises the charity race which attracts many weird and wonderful entries and raises valuable funds for a local charity.

This year, the race is on Saturday February 17 and there will be three top prizes of $300 as well as three celebrities who will be auctioned off to lend their strengths to one of the teams.

Mayor Hamish McDouall can be hired by the highest bidder and so can a couple of World Cup rugby winners.

Black Ferns Sosoli Talawadua and Toka Natua have volunteered their services to help a team make the finish line in style.

The chosen charity this year is the Whanganui branch of Youth Diabetes NZ and manager Linda Carter said it is hoped the celebrities will fetch a good price.

"We want to raise as much money as possible so whoever pays the most dollars to have a celeb' join their raft team has first choice."

There are to be no powered devices in the race and each team must consist of four members with each person wearing a life jacket.

Entry forms are at 179 Victoria Ave or from Plumber Dan's Facebook page. Cost is $50 per raft. Call Plumber Dan on 021 635517 for other information.

By Liz Wylie
Wanganui Chronicle 6/2/18