THE PADDLING was fast and furious down when The Shakespeare Hospice Dragon Boat Race took to the Avon.
The warm weather on Sunday helped as 24 competing teams were roared on by supporters along the riverbank
The event is set to raise omore £35,0000 to help provide essential funding for end of life care in the local community. The money will benefit patients and their families who use the Hospice at Home, Children’s Bereavement and Day Hospice services.
The final saw a nail-biting finish with only 1.58 seconds separating all six boats. The video analysis judged Actemium’s Jolly Green Giants victors, closely followed by Benchmark with Listers Torque in third.
Actemium’s organiser Annice Mitchell dedicated their win to Chris Hutchinson, the firm’s director who passed away two months ago.
Karen Davies, hospice head of income generation, said: “We’re all here to raise money for the hospice so we can continue to provide that exceptional level of care.
“To do that in such a vibrant and fun way such as the Dragon Boat race makes it all the more worthwhile. Seeing the crowds come and participate and cheer the teams on is what real community engagement is about, a brilliant day out.”
The race’s headline sponsor Western Power Distribution (WPD) fielded two boats.
WPD spokesman Ben Scroggs said” “We love to support the Shakespeare Hospice, even after six years it’s still a great day out for teams and their families from our sites in Worcester and Birmingham, with a bonus of some team building and some healthy depot versus depot rivalry.”
