PORTSMOUTH — By 4 p.m., after eight hours in a small raft together, Jason Perry of Dunbarton and Jason Tremblay of Manchester were still laughing.

That was a good thing, as they had at least 28 hours to go together, with not much to entertain themselves except a couple of smartphones, some Bananagrams, some snacks and a painted volleyball named “Wilson.”

It is a crazy feat the two have performed for two years now to raise funds and awareness for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire.

Last year, they raised $36,000 after 36 hours in the same raft in the middle of the Merrimack River in Manchester.

This year, they brought the event to the Seacoast, thanks to the hospitality of Robin Normandeau at The Chandler's Loft on Mechanic Street, where Make-A-Wish staff and volunteers were camped out overnight, with a motorboat docked nearby to bring supplies and food to the floating Jasons.

Tremblay is the director of philanthropy at Make-A-Wish New Hampshire and Perry is the director of sales and marketing at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester.

Normandeau said when she was approached by Tremblay, the image of about 80 Make-A-Wish children cheering the two men on as they came back into shore last year, was enough for her to say yes.

It is those children that Perry and Tremblay are floating for.

“When we came up on shore and saw all the Make-A-Wish kids, just seeing them greeting us and cheering for us, to me, that was a really moving and special moment,” Tremblay said. “All they go through and they're there supporting us.”

There are currently 60 children in the state still awaiting wishes, as the New Hampshire chapter of the Make-A-Wish organization celebrates its 25th year.

In January, they granted their 1,000th wish.

One of those wishes was granted to Meghan Richardson, 15, of Andover about seven years ago.

As an eight-year-old with cystic fibrosis, Richardson received her wish to go to Disney World with her family.

Her involvement with Make-A-Wish has continued to grow since then. She now serves as a Make-A-Wish ambassador, talking to people about her wish, and the foundation and helping to promote events like “Rafting for Wishes.”

Richardson said being involved with the organization is like being a part of a family, and goes well beyond receiving her one wish.

“Once you're a wish kid, you're always a wish kid,” Richardson said. “We all are just very close and all keep in contact. Once someone does something that special for you, it gives you an opportunity to want to do something when you have the chance,” Richardson said.

She said she was happy to come support the effort on Tuesday afternoon as the Jasons approached their eighth hour floating in the river.

By that time, they had raised about $10,000, and Perry said they were getting a little bit nervous that they would not reach their $36,000 goal by the 36-hour deadline. He said they would stay in the raft as long as it takes them to reach their goal.

For more information or to donate to Rafting for Wishes, visit the Make-A-Wish volunteers on Mechanic Street during the event and watch the Jasons as they pass time in the river, or learn more online at www.newhampshire.wish.org.

gmacalaster@newstote.com