England’s chief medical officer and key workers honoured in ‘superhero’ charity raft race

Participants in the Thames Water Raft Race sailing down the River Thames near Reading Berkshire, to raise money for charity WaterAid.

Rowers dressed as superheroes and the UK's key workers were seen guiding their homemade rafts down the river Thames as a charity boat race made its return this year.

The Thames Water Raft Race, which has been running for more than two decades, was cancelled last year because of Covid-19.

This year's event is a superhero theme in honour of the keyworkers who supported the nation during the coronavirus pandemic, which caused the cancellation of last year's race.

But it returned on Thursday as Thames Water staff wearing fancy dress took to the water in Reading to raise money for the Water Aid charity.

In honour of the work done by key workers during the pandemic, the theme for the day was superheroes.

Batman and Wonder Woman were among those taking part (Steve Parsons/PA)

Some took the theme literally with Batman and Wonder Woman among those seen participating.

Others donned medical scrubs or masks of Tom Moore, while one team wore T-shirts featuring a picture of England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty and the caption: “Next slide please.”

The event has been taking place for more than two decades (Steve Parsons/PA)

Through a partnership with Water Aid, employees have raised more than £1.3 million to improve access to clean water for disadvantaged communities in Malawi as part of their recent Thames Loves Malawi project.

In total the company has donated more than £40 million to Water Aid since the charity was founded in 1981, Thames Water said.