Paddles at the ready – entries are officially open for the 2023 Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival, which will take place at Peterborough Rowing Club on Saturday June 10.
NewWave Events are bringing the event back to Peterborough for the 23rd year and they're hoping to top the previous years’ festival, which saw 44 teams take part and raise more than £39,000 for the title charity, Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.
ESP Magazine is once again proud to be the event's media partner and we can't wait to see our crew take part this summer.
Teams of up to 11 people will take to the water to battle it out in 30-foot dragon boats. Each team will race a minimum of three times, the dragon boats and all equipment are provided and no previous experience is needed. There will also be a host of bankside activities to entertain teams and spectators alike.
Alicja Mierzejewska, Executive Director at NewWave Events, said - “We are super excited to see all the amazing companies that enter year on year and we are also looking forward to seeing some new ones! Our dragons are ready and waiting, so see you all this summer for a great day of fundraising and teambuilding!”
Lucy Morton, Executive Director at NewWave Events, added -"The Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival is definitely one of my favourite events and I am so glad we can bring this back to the city once again. To be able to continue the partnership with Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice for 2023 is just the icing on the cake.”
Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice is the only specialist palliative care inpatient unit in Peterborough and is heavily reliant on fundraising activities and voluntary donations to continue providing its vital care and support.
There is a great incentive for teams to raise as much sponsorship as possible - the top fundraisers will be awarded the charity trophy and receive a special Glo Golf experience.
Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice’s Senior Community Fundraiser, Nilesh Patel, said - “We are thrilled the Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival is set to make a splash and return this summer. We hope people will be inspired to make waves and sign up for what promises to be a fantastic day to look forward to, filled with fun and racing!
“We are really grateful the festival will once again raise vital funds for our hospice and help us be there for more local families when it matters. At Sue Ryder, we believe that the end of someone’s life is the most important time of their life. The funds raised will help us to continue to deliver our expert and compassionate care – and fill someone’s last days with love.”
The Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival is supported by ESP Magazine and sponsored by Peterborough based appliance manufacturer Hotpoint.
Ian Moverley, Communications Director at Whirlpool commented - "We're delighted to be sponsoring the festival for the second year running as part of our commitment to supporting fundraising in our local community. Our colleagues love taking part in a fun-filled day and hopefully we can make it onto the podium this time!"
For more information and an entry form, call Festival organisers NewWave Events on 01536 674 748 or visit https://dragonboatevents.co.uk/peterborough-dragon-boat-festival/ to enter online.
For information about the vital work of Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, visit www.sueryder.org/thorpehall or email thorpe.fundraising@sueryder.org