THE Bestival Ryde Slide is coming to the Island this summer.

A 200 metre thrill seekers’ delight, the exhilarating giant inflatable water slide will run down Ryde’s main shopping street on July 12. It will then be at Bestival in September.

Some 300 Islanders will get the chance to take part in the event, which will raise money for charitable causes.

It was made possible by a collaboration between the former Mayor of Ryde and Bestival.

In 2013 Wayne Whittle, then Mayor of Ryde, was sent a photo of Bristol’s ‘Park and Slide’, a 100m water slide built in the centre of Bristol by artist Luke Jerram.

The picture was sent to Wayne on Twitter captioned ‘can’t you make this happen Mayor?’ Wayne noted the Bristol water slide’s location looked very similar to Union Street, and he has been pushing for the event ever since.

Bestival head honcho Rob da Bank often cycles past Wayne’s café on Ryde Seafront and together they have hatched a plan.

Rob said: “When Wayne spoke to me about bringing a huge inflatable water slide to the Island and running it down the middle of Union street in Ryde, I couldn’t possibly refuse.

“Chances like this don’t come along all that often and it’s all for a lot of great causes.”

The event will run from 11am – 7pm on July 12 from the top of Union Street.

For a chance to be one of the water sliders, entrants should head to www.bestivalrydeslide.net before July 6, and follow the links to be entered into a draw.

About 300 people will be picked at random and notified on July 7.

All proceeds will go to charitable causes – Ryde Inshore Rescue (Independent lifeboat), Aspire Ryde Community Centre (Holy Trinity Church), Ryde Arena ltd (Ice Rink) and Ryde Waterside Pool via the Ryde Slide Trust.

The Bestival Slide will return at Bestival this September 10-13 at Robin Hill.

Head to www.bestivalrydeslide.net or text BEST001 to 70970 and donate now to be in with a chance to be one of the Bestival Ryde Slide riders.