A call has gone out for teams to enter the Macmillan Coracle World Championships in Shrewsbury – with organisers setting their sights on a record-breaking year.

The event is in its seventh year and sees teams battle their way across the River Severn in traditional coracles, with the winners being declared world champions.

All proceeds go towards supporting people affected by cancer in Shropshire, and organisers have set a fundraising target of £40,000 – which would be the highest total ever raised at the event.

This year’s event will take place on the afternoon of September 11, which is later than previous years, but teams are being encouraged to sign up as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

Sponsors are also being sought, with individual coracles and the event itself available for sponsorship.

Helen Knight, fundraising manager for Macmillan in Shropshire, said: “The coracle world championship is one of the highlights of the year for us and is always fantastic fun.

“We are really hoping for a record-breaking year, so we are putting an early call-out for teams to sign up.

“The event is open to teams of four and is a brilliant team-building exercise for businesses as well as being a great way of raising money for an important cause.

“It’s a wonderful family day out, and teams are encouraged to bring as many supporters as they can.

“As in previous years, there will be a bar and barbecue at Pengwern Boat Club, as well as children’s activities running throughout the afternoon.

“We are also on the look-out for a headline sponsor which helps us cover the costs of organising the event, and of course provides a great opportunity for a business to raise their profile too.”

Over the past seven years, the coracle championships have raised more than £150,000 for Macmillan services in Shropshire.

Entry is £100 per team, and each team is asked to raise at least £300 in sponsorship.

Each year in Shropshire and Staffordshire, 8,369 people are diagnosed with cancer, and it is estimated that 109,100 people will be living with or beyond cancer by 2030.

More than £500,000 of Macmillan money was committed for services and projects in Shropshire during 2014, with around £180,000 in the pipeline so far for 2015 for people affected by cancer.

To enter a team or for more details on sponsorship opportunities, email coracleworldchampionships@gmail.com or call 07977 864278.