ORGANISERS behind a popular free community event, which saw thousands of people bring inflatables to the River Stour, are fundraising so the fun can continue next year.

Dorset Dinghy Day saw a variety of wacky watercraft, including an inflatable boxing ring, float along the river between Iford and Tuckton bridges last weekend.

It was the sixth year of the event, and organisers said it was the “biggest turnout yet”.

However, a fundraising page has since been set up on Go Fund Me by the organisers, who are trying to raise £1,000 towards the running of next year’s Dorset Dinghy Day.

The team includes James Osborne, Mark Hancock and Joseph Barton.

“Dorset Dinghy Day is a free community event started in 2014 which sees families and friends spend an afternoon floating down Dorset’s beautiful River Stour,” they said on their fundraising page.

“Each year the event gets bigger, better and wetter. As such the organisers are struggling to cope with the demands placed on just a handful of people to ensure the day remains, fun, safe, and environmentally conscious.

“The event will always be free to participate in, however for next year we would be extremely grateful for any donations, no matter how small, so that we can ensure the day is even better for the participants and the environment.”

The organisers want to increase the number of recycling points for the event. A big clean-up operation follows the dinghy day and, this year, inflatables left behind were given to Wyatt & Jack, an Isle of Wight-based brand, which will recycle all the plastic and use it in products that will be sold at next year’s event.

The organisers also want to provide toilets next year and better litter picking equipment to encourage participants to keep the area tidy.

Any surplus funds would be donated to environmental charities.

“We love organising Dorset Dinghy Day every year, and we are so proud it has become a fixture of the local area. However we do fear that without increased support we may struggle to ensure the event is a fun, safe environment for all, and also something that gives back to the local community rather than taking from it,” the organisers said.

“We will be extremely grateful for any donations provided. We will do our utmost to ensure any funds raised go on to directly benefit all involved - and ensure the event stays a free family event for all those that aren’t in a position to contribute.”