Time to enter a team for the Nottingham Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challenge on Sunday 4^th August

As shorts and t-shirts get dusted off in anticipation of another long hot summer, thoughts turn to one of the highlights of the regional events calendar – the annual Nottingham Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challlenge. More than 30 teams are expected to battle it out in the spectacular races on Sunday 4^th August, cheered on by thousands of spectators and there is still plenty of time to get your team together and join in the popular day of team building and fun!

Businesses and groups across the East Midlands are invited to test their mettle against the new and returning crews whilst raising much-needed funds for Challenge charity, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People. Amongst the companies that have already booked their places on the start line are Abel Alarm Company, NAPIT Group, William Davis, DeltaNet International, John A Stephens, FHP, Frank Goulding, Hallmark Consumer Services, K-Flex, Midland Quarry Products, Specsavers Sutton-in-Ashfield, Rainbows and Thorn Baker.

DeltaNet are one of the teams opting for the enhanced Gold & Silver entry packages which include the profile and fundraising benefits of the company’s logo on a dragon boat as well as a significant donation to Rainbows. With its HQ in Loughborough, the company is a long standing supporter of Rainbows and MD Darren Hockley says that staff always jump at the chance to take part, “The Dragon Boat Race is a great event, not to mention a fun day out in the sun, so the team didn’t have to be asked twice about participating again this year! Our team is made up of who gets in first and there’s always a nice sprinkling across the departments; sales, marketing, content and support. The light-hearted competition contributes to team-building and increasing our running total raised for Rainbows always feels fantastic – it’s a great achievement for the DeltaNet team, and one they can be proud of.”

Last year’s Dragon Boat Challenge raised over £10,000 for Rainbows which provides vital help, care and support for children across the East Midlands with terminal and life-limiting conditions. By taking part and raising money for Rainbows, the teams will be helping families from Nottinghamshire and across the region to make the most of the time they have left together and create memories they can treasure forever.

The 30’ dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided by race organisers, Gable Events, and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races. No previous experience is needed to take part, just plenty of team spirit and enthusiasm.

Medals and trophies are awarded for the top three crews, top mixed crew and the ‘best dressed’ crew (as fancy as possible!) and there’s a superb incentive to top the fundraising leader board as the crew raising the most money for Rainbows will receive a special prize escape room experience at Escapologic.

Teams and spectators also benefit from being part of the Nottingham Riverside Festival, one of the region’s largest family festivals with a bustling fair and vibrant mix of music, dance, crafts and food from around the world, staged by Nottingham City Council. Media partners to the Dragon Boat Challenge are Notts TV and Business Link East Midlands.

For further information and an entry form please visit

www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/nottingham or call Gable Events on 01780 470718. For information about the services of Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People call Tom Stanyard on 01509 283919 or visit www.rainbows.co.uk