All aboard the dragon boat for MacIntyre!

All aboard the dragon boat for MacIntyre!

Shoppers were given the chance to climb aboard a full-size dragon boat and beat the drum at intu Shopping Centre in Milton Keynes on Saturday.

The display was to promote the 17th Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival and visitors to the Centre were able to sit in the boat, try the paddles for size and enjoy a taste of this year’s Festival dished up by organisers Gable Events and new charity partner MacIntyre.

The 2018 Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Willen Lake on Saturday 23rd June and over 50 teams are expected to battle it out on the 200-metre course, cheered on by their supporters with lots of bankside activities to enjoy between races.

The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment will be provided, no previous experience is required, and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races.

Crews will be invited to raise money for MacIntyre and the top fundraisers will win a special prize meal at the highly rated Melis Restaurant in Central Milton Keynes, sponsored by Merinvest.

MacIntyre is a national charity based in Milton Keynes that supports over 1,200 children, young people and adults who have a learning disability or autism. As well as raising vital funds, the Dragon Boat Festival will provide the charity with an opportunity to raise its profile within the corporate sector and the wider community.

MacIntyre’s Head of Fundraising, Claire Kennedy, says, “Having been involved in previous years, we know what a fantastic event this is for everyone who takes part and their families and friends. Every penny raised will be used to benefit the people we support in the Milton Keynes area”.

Joining in the fun at intu on Saturday were the presenters from Festival radio partner MKFM and the staff and volunteers from MacIntyre who gave out free cookies made in their café. Visitors to the stand were also able to try out their fitness on a rowing ergometer provided by Energie Fitness in readiness for the big race on 23rd June!

For further information and an entry form visit: www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/miltonkeynes or call Gable Events on 01780 470 718. For information about MacIntyre, visit www.macintyrecharity.org or call 01908 230100

The Battle of the Holiday Parks

Holiday Parks go ‘head-to-head’ at the East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival this August!

The eagerly anticipated East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival, supported by Lowestoft Journal, is a great opportunity for local companies, organisations and clubs to enter a team and do battle on the waters of Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, whilst raising money for the charity of their choosing.

For the last few years, there has been particularly heightened friendly rivalry between two of the entered teams, Gunton Hall and Corton Coastal Village. With owners Warner Leisure Hotels as race sponsor this year, the competition is set to be hotter than ever when the teams take to the waters of Oulton Broad on Saturday 11th August.

Whilst both crews are looking forward to another superb day out, a fantastic team building event and the chance to raise important funds for their nominated charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, the crew managers from each team admit that beating the other will make the day that little bit more special. This will be Gunton Hall’s fourth year at the event and Corton’s third with honours even so far in the ‘head to heads’.

Corton’s General Manager, Fern Chapman, is ready for the challenge; “Our team is gearing up for what I’m sure will be another fantastic event. Gunton Hall narrowly pipped us to the post in the 3rd heat last year, so we’re certainly looking to redress the balance this time around. The event really brings the community together and it is a great opportunity for us to raise much needed funds for our chosen charity, Macmillan.”

Gunton’s General Manager and crew captain, Joe Bullock, comments: “The Dragon Boat Festival is one that the Gunton Hall team has come to look forward to each year, and we can’t wait to reignite the friendly rivalry between our friends over at Corton. It was a very close race last year and we’re expecting the same level of anticipation in this year’s race.”

This battle of the hotels is sure to add some extra spice to what promises to be a fantastic day’s racing and it also gives other holiday parks an opportunity to put their name forward and enter a team to try and become the best in the region.

To take part in the dragon boat racing, no previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit and enthusiasm! The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races. This year’s Festival is an open charity event with entrants invited to raise money for the charity of their choosing. Teams opting for the popular gold and silver entry packages, which include a charity donation as well as marketing benefits, can also nominate their favourite charity to benefit from their donation.

Gunton Hall and Corton Coastal Villages, both in Lowestoft, are in a portfolio of 13 country and coastal properties around the UK owned by Warner Leisure Hotels which specialises in activity breaks for adults. Warner Leisure Hotels is the proud sponsor of the 2018 East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival and they are working together with partner charity, Macmillan Cancer Support to fund a range of help and advice for people affected by cancer.

For further information and an entry form please visit:
www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/eastanglia or call Gable Events on 01780 470 718.
For information about Warner Leisure Hotels, visit www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk or call 01442 863245

All aboard the dragon boat!

All aboard the dragon boat!

Shoppers will be given the chance to climb aboard a full-size dragon boat and beat the drum at Intu Shopping Centre in Milton Keynes this Saturday 14th April.

The display is to promote the 17th Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival and the boat complete with paddles, drum and dragon’s head will be stationed in the Centre between Hollister and Gap from 9am until 6pm. There will be a chance to sit in the boat, try the paddles for size and enjoy a taste of this year’s Festival dished up by organisers Gable Events and new charity partner MacIntyre.

The 2018 Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Willen Lake on Saturday 23rd June and over 50 teams are expected to battle it out on the 200-metre course, cheered on by their supporters who will be able to enjoy lots of bankside activities between races.

The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided, no previous experience is required, and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races.

Crews will be invited to raise money for MacIntyre and the top fundraisers will win a special prize meal at the highly rated Melis Restaurant in Central Milton Keynes, sponsored by Merinvest.

MacIntyre is a national charity based in Milton Keynes that supports over 1,200 children, young people and adults who have a learning disability or autism. As well as raising vital funds, the Dragon Boat Festival will provide the charity with an opportunity to raise its profile within the corporate sector and the wider community.

MacIntyre’s Head of Fundraising, Claire Kennedy, says, “Having been involved in previous years, we know what a fantastic event this is for everyone who takes part and their families and friends. Every penny raised will be used to benefit the people we support in the Milton Keynes area”.

Joining in the fun at Intu this Saturday will be the presenters from Festival radio partner MKFM (from 10am until 2pm). Staff and volunteers from MacIntyre will be giving out free cookies made in their café and visitors to the stand can also try out their fitness on a rowing ergometer provided by Energie Fitness in readiness for the big race on 23rd June! The staff and guests of Energie Fitness will be entering a team into the event, joining over 20 companies who have already signed up to take part.

For further information and an entry form visit: www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/miltonkeynes or call Gable Events on 01780 470 718. For information about MacIntyre, visit www.macintyrecharity.org or call 01908 230100