Teams race to sign up for the Nottingham Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challenge!

Companies, clubs and organisations from across the region are getting their teams together and signing up to take part in the eagerly anticipated Nottingham Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challenge which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year. The Dragon Boat Challenge takes place on the River Trent at the Victoria Embankment on Sunday 5^th August in aid of Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People and is one of the key attractions of the Riverside Festival.

One of the early entrants is builders merchants, John A Stephens Ltd from Nottingham, and crew manager Jason Shelton explains how the company hopes to benefit from their participation; “This will be our second year at the Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challenge. Our first time at the event was a great success, both as a fun day out and team building exercise. Our team for race day will be made up of yard, office and counter staff for hopefully another fantastic day. We enter a silver team as the entry fee includes a £500 donation to a very worthwhile cause in Rainbows Hospice - we have a secondary sponsor (Clark-Drain Ltd) which looks after the clothing /logos etc and will also be donating towards the charity”.

With teams coming from all over the East Midlands and representing so many different industries, the inter-company rivalry is building. Other early entrants include Gold entries from Nando’s, NMCNomenca and Office Innovations, silver entries from DeltaNet International and North Midland Construction plus standard entries from DHL Nottingham, DNS (Midlands) Ltd, Encore Estate Management, K-Flex, Rainbows Hospice, MQP and a further two crews from NMCNomenca.

To take part in the dragon boat racing and help raise money for Rainbows, 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. Teams and spectators also benefit from being part of 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.

All the entered teams will be encouraged to raise sponsorship for the Challenge’s official charity, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, and help make a difference to over 380 children and their families that the charity supports across the East Midlands.

Tom Stanyard, Corporate Partnership Fundraiser at Rainbows, said, “The Dragon Boat Challenge is an amazing event. With up to 50 companies competing for a number of prizes the day has a great atmosphere. More amazing than the event however is what Rainbows is able to do with the fundraising support we receive from the crews taking part. With only a small amount of guaranteed funding, your support at events like this makes it possible for us to help and care for those families who need it most.”

The top fundraisers for Rainbows will win the charity trophy plus a special prize lunch kindly donated by Forty Four Bridgford, an independent cocktail bar and kitchen in Nottingham.

For more information and an entry form please call Gable Events on 01780 470718 or visit www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/nottingham.

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

The Nottingham Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challenge – a Boat Race for all!

If the annual University Boat Race has inspired you to take to the water and try something different this summer, why not get some colleagues/friends together and enter a team in the 10^th Nottingham Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challenge?

The Dragon Boat Challenge has become one of the most popular corporate team events in the region and there’s plenty of time to get a team together and guarantee a place on the start line on the River Trent at Victoria Embankment, Nottingham on Sunday 5^th August.

You don’t need the physique of Sir Steve Redgrave or Dame Katherine Grainger to be successful as dragon boat racing caters for people of all shapes, sizes and levels of fitness. No previous experience is required to take part, just plenty of team spirit and enthusiasm!

Under the expert guidance of a qualified helm, provided by Challenge organisers Gable Events, your crew of up to 11 people will soon be paddling in time and bonding together as you race towards the finish line over the 200m race course. Each team gets three attempts to improve their race times with everyone having an equal chance of reaching the semi-finals.

For Encore Property Management Group, this will be their second year at the event and Associate Director, Tom Hopson, is looking forward to another fun day out with his team, “When we entered last year we saw it as an opportunity for our Nottingham team to get together and do something fun but worthwhile. We had recently expanded by recruiting several new members of staff so it was a chance for them to get to know their colleagues. They enjoyed it so much they asked if they could do it again! The benefit to the company is that the staff have to work together as a team and that transfers really well to the office environment”

Teams and spectators also benefit from being part of 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. Notts TV and Business Link East Midlands are media partners to the Dragon Boat Challenge

All the entered teams will be encouraged to raise sponsorship for the Challenge’s official charity, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, and help make a difference to over 380 children and their families that the charity supports across the East Midlands.

Tom Stanyard, Corporate Partnership Fundraiser at Rainbows, said, “The Dragon Boat Challenge is an amazing event. With up to 50 companies competing for a number of prizes the day has a great atmosphere. More amazing than the event however is what Rainbows is able to do with the fundraising support we receive from the crews taking part. With only a small amount of guaranteed funding, your support at events like this makes it possible for us to help and care for those families who need it most.”

The top fundraisers for Rainbows will win the charity trophy plus a special prize lunch kindly donated by Forty Four Bridgford, an independent cocktail bar and kitchen in Nottingham.

For more information and an entry form please call Gable Events on 01780 470718 or visit www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/nottingham.

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

Gong Hey Fat Choy! Here come the Dragons!

To celebrate Chinese New Year, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People has joined with Gable Events to launch the 10th Nottingham Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challenge!

The 2018 Dragon Boat Challenge takes place on Sunday 5th August as part of the annual Riverside Festival and is one of the largest and most eagerly anticipated team events in the region. Up to 50 crews from all over the East Midlands are expected to battle it out over the 200m race course.

Dragon boat racing has an ancient Chinese history and according to the Chinese calendar, 2018 is the year of the Dog. People born in this year are believed to inherit some of the animal’s characteristics and possess the best traits in human nature such as honesty, loyalty, patience, reliability and intelligence. Their industrious nature, faithfulness and strong bond to others augurs well for the teamwork needed to be successful in August!

No previous experience is required to take part, just plenty of team spirit. The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races.

Teams and spectators also benefit from being part of 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. Notts TV and Business Link East Midlands are media partners to the Dragon Boat Challenge.

The Challenge’s official charity, Rainbows, is the only children’s hospice in the East Midlands. By taking part in the Dragon Boat Challenge to raise money for Rainbows, you and your crew will have the chance to make a difference to over 380 children and their families from across the East Midlands counties.

Tom Stanyard, Corporate Partnership Fundraiser at Rainbows, said, “The Dragon Boat Challenge is an amazing event. With up to 50 companies competing for a number of prizes the day has a great atmosphere. More amazing than the event however is what Rainbows is able to do with the fundraising support we receive from the crews taking part. With only a small amount of guaranteed funding, your support at events like this makes it possible for us to help and care for those families who need it most.”

The top fundraisers for Rainbows will win the charity trophy plus a special prize lunch kindly donated by Forty Four Bridgford, an independent cocktail bar and kitchen in Nottingham.

For more information and an entry form please call Gable Events on 01780 470718 or visit www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/nottingham

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

Last chance to make a splash at the Nottingham Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challenge on Sunday 7th August!

With just a few weeks to go until the River Trent in Nottingham reverberates to the sound of beating drums, there is still time to get your team together and join in the fun!

The Dragon Boat Challenge, which raises funds for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, is one of the highlights of the annual Riverside Festival and up to 50 teams are expected to battle it out in spectacular four boat races on Sunday 7th August. Around half the teams that take part each year are new, and organisers Gable Events are encouraging others to join them on the start line next month.

Kerry Bradbury, Training & HR Advisor at Graphic Packaging International, is keen to make the most of the team building and fund raising opportunity. She says, “The event is in aid of a good cause and we thought what better way to get people involved than a fun team building exercise? ‘GPI Warriors’ and our supporters are very excited to be taking part in this fantastic event and aim to raise as much money as possible to support Rainbows and the amazing work that they do”.

The teams that took part in last year’s Dragon Boat Challenge raised a magnificent total of over £23,000 for official charity Rainbows which provides vital help, care and support for children across the East Midlands with terminal and life-limiting conditions. By taking part in the Dragon Boat Challenge to raise 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 the race organisers 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 for the top three crews, top mixed crew and the ‘best dressed’ crew are up for grabs. The top fundraising crew will also receive a special prize meal kindly donated by The Riverbank Bar & Kitchen, situated at Trent Bridge.

Teams and spectators also benefit from being part of 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 Smooth Radio and the Nottingham Post.

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

Dragon boat teams stick their oars in for Rainbows Hospice!

With just a few months to go until the annual Nottingham Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challenge places are still available for budding paddlers.

Companies, clubs and organisations from across the East Midlands are getting their teams together ready to do battle on the waters of the River Trent at Victoria Embankment on Sunday 7 August.

As well as aiming to knock Nottingham-based Cargopak off their pedestal as reigning champions, teams will also be seeking to raise money for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.

Last year, over £23,000 was raised for Rainbows, with more than £2,800 coming from the top fundraisers, Noble Foods.
Noble Foods crew manager Michelle Rowden said the team is seeking to raise even more. She said: “After last year’s event we had the opportunity to visit Rainbows and see the amazing work they do. This has galvanised our resolve for the 2016 Challenge. There was no question about doing the race again and bringing in as much money as possible for this ‘Noble’ cause. This time we aim to rule the waves too and take home at least one other trophy to bond with our current Welsh green dragon, dragons are after all sociable animals!”

For the second year running, The Riverbank Bar & Kitchen has donated a celebratory meal for the team that raises the most sponsorship for Rainbows.

April Summerscales, Marketing, Design & PR Coordinator at The Riverbank Bar & Kitchen, said: “Supporting charity fundraising is a huge part of the Riverbank’s ethos and values. The Dragon Boat Challenge is an amazing event for a fabulous charity. Every year we love to get involved by supporting the Challenge and Rainbows in any way we can, through promotions and also donating the prize to the team that raises the most money. We can’t wait to be part of the journey again.”

Rainbows is the only hospice in the East Midlands for children and young people with life-limiting and terminal illnesses. By taking part in the Dragon Boat Challenge to raise money for Rainbows, you 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.

No previous experience is necessary to join in the fun, 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.

Teams and their supporters also benefit from being part of 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 Smooth Radio and The Nottingham Post.

For more information and an entry form please call Gable Events on 01780 470718 or visit www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/nottingham

For information about Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People call Tom Stanyard on 01509 283919 or visit www.rainbows.co.uk

Teams race to sign up for the Nottingham Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challenge!

Companies, clubs and organisations from across the region are getting their teams together and signing up to take part in this year’s eagerly anticipated Nottingham Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challenge. Now in its eighth year, the Dagon Boat Challenge takes place on the River Trent at the Victoria Embankment on Sunday 7th August and has become one of the key attractions of the Riverside Festival.

One of the early entrants this year and dragon boat first-timers are Graphic Packaging International from Bardon in Leicestershire. The company makes cardboard packaging for the food and beverage industry and employs 1,300 staff in the UK including 365 at the Bardon site. Training & HR Advisor, Kerry Bradbury is keen to make the most of the team building and fund raising opportunity. She says, “GPI Bardon get involved in charity work all through the year and we have recently appointed a Philanthropist to coordinate and raise funds for charities. The event is in aid of a good cause and we thought what better way to get people involved than a fun team building exercise? ‘GPI Warriors’ and our supporters are very excited to be taking part in this fantastic event and aim to raise as much money as possible to support Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People and the amazing work that they do”.

With teams coming from all corners of the East Midlands and representing so many different industries, the inter-company rivalry is definitely building! Other early entrants include fellow first-timers Lockwood Group from Derbyshire, Noble Foods of North Scarle, two teams from CR Civil Engineering (Loughborough), Cardiology Dept. Grantham Hospital (Grantham), two teams from Warburtons (Langley Mill) and Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People. Noble Foods and CR Civil Engineering have both chosen to take out Silver entries which include the profile and fundraising benefits of their company logo on each side of a dragon boat as well as a £500 donation to Rainbows.

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young people provides vital help, care and support for children across the East Midlands with terminal and life-limiting conditions. By taking part in the Dragon Boat Challenge to raise money for Rainbows, the teams will be helping families form Nottinghamshire and across the region to make the most of the time they have left together and create memories they can treasure forever.

Tom Stanyard, Corporate Partnership Fundraiser at Rainbows, said, “It’s because of people like you that Rainbows can keep our doors open. Only a small amount of our funding is guaranteed, that’s why our supporters and fundraisers are so important. You are the ones who make it possible for us to help and care for those with terminal and life-limiting conditions”.

The top fundraisers for Rainbows will win the Charity trophy plus a special prize meal kindly donated by The Riverbank Bar & Kitchen, situated at Trent Bridge, not far from where the Challenge takes place.

To take part in the dragon boat racing and help raise money for Rainbows, 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. Teams and spectators also benefit from being part of 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 Smooth Radio and The Nottingham Post.

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

Here come the Dragons!

To celebrate Chinese New Year, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People has joined with Gable Events to launch the eighth Nottingham Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challenge!

The 2016 Dragon Boat Challenge takes place on Sunday 7th August as part of the annual Riverside Festival and is one of the largest and most eagerly anticipated team events in the region. Up to 40 crews from all over the East Midlands are expected to battle it out over the 200m race course. They will all be seeking to knock Nottingham-based Cargopak off their pedestal as reigning champions whilst raising important funds for the Hospice.

No previous experience is required to take part in the dragon boat racing, just plenty of team spirit. So why not take up the challenge? The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races. Teams and spectators also benefit from being part of 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.

The Challenge’s official charity, Rainbows, is the only children’s hospice in the East Midlands. By taking part in the Dragon Boat Challenge to raise money for Rainbows, you 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.

Tom Stanyard, Corporate Partnership Fundraiser at Rainbows, said, “It’s because of people like you that Rainbows can keep our doors open. Only a small amount of our funding is guaranteed, that’s why supporters and fundraisers like you are so important. You are the ones who make it possible for us to help and care for those with terminal and life-limiting conditions.”

The top fundraisers for Rainbows will win the charity trophy plus a special prize-meal kindly donated by The Riverbank Bar & Kitchen. Situated at Trent Bridge, not far from where the Challenge takes place.

For more information and an entry form please call Gable Events on 01780 470718 or visit www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/nottingham. 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