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Cambridge Prepares for Dragon Boat Festival
21 May 2019, 06:43 | Updated: 21 May 2019, 07:16
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 Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival in aid of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT).
Now in its 15th year, the Festival has become one of the biggest corporate team events in the regional calendar and there’s plenty of time to get a team together and guarantee a place on the start line in Fen Ditton on Saturday 7th September.
One of the early entrants is Grant Instruments from Shepreth in Cambridgeshire who have been designing and manufacturing innovative scientific and data acquisition tools to markets worldwide since 1951. Crew manager, Charlotte Houlihan is looking forward to strengthening internal company relationships and supporting a charity which is very close to their hearts, “Our company is made up of more than 60 energetic, passionate and technically-mind experts – all of whom are up for a challenge! Grant’s ‘Water Bath Warriors’ will be made up of willing volunteers from all departments within the business including Sales, Research & Development and Manufacturing. This is our second time at the event and not only is it a fun day out for all involved, it acts as an invaluable team building exercise and fundraising opportunity”.
Other early Festival entrants include Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, Cambridge Education Group, eHospital Cambridge University Hospitals, Frames Conservatories Direct, Kerio, Oval Medical Technologies, Provisio, Sitec Infrastructure Services (two teams) and Woodland Group (three teams) with Gold and Silver teams from Cooke Curtis & Co, Bouygues UK and The A14. Gold and Silver entries include a significant donation to Festival charity ACT as well as marketing benefits such as the company logo on the sides of a dragon boat.
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.
Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust is the only charity dedicated to making a difference for patients at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie Hospitals and Emily Willdigg, ACT’s Events Lead is looking forward to building on the success of last year’s event, “We hope that businesses will support our much-loved hospitals by getting a team together. With the help of many generous supporters, we can provide funds so that our local hospitals can offer the very best care day after day, year after year.”
The Festival promises a fantastic day for competitors and spectators alike with Chinese themed entertainment, children’s rides and plenty of food and drink for all the family as well as a flypast from a Lancaster Bomber. The team raising the most money for ACT will be awarded the charity trophy and enjoy a fabulous group prize courtesy of Cambridge Escape Rooms.
