Mayor Hamish and Plumber Dan get ready to ride the Whanganui River

Mayor Hamish McDouall and plumber Dan Goldsworthy prepare for a tough race on Saturday. Photo/Bevan Conley.

Whanganui plumber Dan Goldsworthy says he is expecting a lot of last-minute entries for his annual charity raft race.

"If past years are anything to go by, there will be a rush of late competitors," he said Tuesday.

Plumber Dan took on the task of resurrecting the traditional Whanganui River Raft Race in 2016 and the past two years have seen rafts ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous competing for three top prizes of $300 and a number of smaller prizes.

Plunket have benefited from previous races and this year, proceeds will benefit Whanganui Youth with Diabetes.

Diabetes NZ branch chairwoman Linda Carter said the raft race was such a great event for youth to be involved in.

"It is so much fun and it gets people out enjoying themselves in the fresh air which is something we encourage."

To make things more exciting this year, Ms Carter has recruited Sosoli Talawadua and Toka Natua of the Women's Rugby World Cup winning team, the Black Ferns, to support the event.

Along with Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall, the players will be auctioned off to the highest bidders to join their raft teams.

"Sosoli and Toka will be travelling down from Auckland and bringing the Women's Rugby World Cup with them," said Ms Carter.

There are strict instructions for travelling with the trophy which the Black Ferns have won five times.

In 2017, they scored the most tries (49) and most points (299) as well as player Portia Woodman scoring a record 13 tries.

There will also be a gala in aid of Youth with Diabetes at Kowhai Park from 11am on Saturday.

Ms Carter said there would be food, a bouncy castle, face painting and a spinning jenny with quick-fire raffles.

The Whanganui River Raft Race will launch from the Whanganui East slipway and end at the Putiki Slipway.

The race will begin at 1pm but teams of four are asked to assemble from 12.30pm wearing their life jackets.

Entry forms are available 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.