The future of a beloved Boxing Day tradition in Derbyshire hangs in the balance after event marshals revolted over sustained verbal abuse from spectators. The Royal National Lifeboat Institute's (RNLI) annual charity raft race in Matlock could be cancelled this year following a dramatic drop in volunteer support.
Volunteers Driven Away by Hostile Crowds
Last year's event saw a significant escalation in unacceptable behaviour, with members of the Derbyshire 4x4 Response team subjected to insults and threats. This occurred when they attempted to stop audience members from throwing objects at participants in fancy dress. The volunteer organisation has already scaled back its support for the 2024 event due to limited volunteer availability and concerns about safety.
Mike Whittingham, Chairman of Derbyshire 4x4 Response, explained the difficult position. He revealed that their primary purpose is supporting emergency services and local communities, meaning many core responders are often busy elsewhere on Boxing Day. They had previously relied on friends and family to fill gaps, but the hostile environment has made this untenable.
"Unfortunately, last year saw a noticeable increase in verbal abuse and threats directed at our volunteers," Mr Whittingham told The Telegraph. "Our members give up their Boxing Day to support what should be a safe, family-friendly event, and we felt it was neither fair nor safe to continue exposing our responders, or their families, to that kind of behaviour."
A Beloved Tradition Now Under Threat
The Matlock Boxing Day raft race is a colourful spectacle where teams build their own rafts and wear quirky matching costumes. They navigate a challenging course featuring a weir, rapids, and a slalom. The tradition was started by scuba-diving friends looking for a winter activity and has since become a major charity fundraiser.
The event has raised more than £150,000 since its inception, with last year's race alone contributing £3,393 to the RNLI. The 2023 event saw 117 rafters in 21 creatively decorated rafts, including designs resembling a tank, Santa's sleigh, a pirate ship, and an Elton John concert.
Urgent Search for Marshals to Save the Event
Organisers are now in a desperate scramble to find between 20 and 25 marshals to meet safety regulations and avoid cancelling the event altogether. A spokesman confirmed they currently have only about half the number required and have taken to social media in a bid to find more helpers.
There is a longstanding, if messy, tradition of spectators throwing eggs and bags of flour during the race, with participants often retaliating with water pistols. However, organisers have repeatedly warned that this behaviour puts the entire event at risk. In 2022, head organiser Stephen Eyres told the BBC that such actions could lead to the race being shut down permanently if anyone were to get hurt.
A Matlock Raft Race spokesperson expressed disappointment at the reported abuse, noting it was a new and concerning development. For this year, marshals will be instructed to avoid arguments with spectators and instead call the police if crowds begin launching objects.
Discussions are ongoing about the Derbyshire 4x4 Response team continuing its involvement in a more limited capacity, potentially focusing on car-park management and traction assistance. The fate of this cherished Derbyshire community event now rests on whether enough volunteers can be found and whether spectators will behave responsibly.
