West Midlands businesses take part in fourth annual Dragon Boat Race challenge
It's to raise money for the Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity.
Last updated 29th Jun 2024
Businesses from across Birmingham and the West Midlands are taking to the canal at Mailbox Birmingham as part of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity’s annual two-day Dragon Boat Race challenge.
Last year’s event raised over £265,000 to support the women, babies, children and families in the hospitals’ care.
This year’s event, sponsored by building contractor, Business Services Now, and mechanical and electrical engineering contractor, Syntegral, is anticipated to be bigger and better than ever, with live music to encourage the teams to keep rowing.
Marc Cohen is taking part with his company Sigma Connected who are currently top fundraisers for the charity.
He's told us - they're also doing a charity absail towards the end of the year to raise more money for Birmingham's hospitals.
"We're so proud and we look forward to working with the charity again. It's such an important charity for the local Birmingham area but also the children nationwide who they support so, it's incredible."
Helen Mayles is from the charity and tells us - this should be the biggest year yet.
"It's become the flagship event of the year. We have the footfall that natually comes through the mailbox plus all the teams - 1000 participants and their families just really shines a light on the fantastic work we do at both of our hospitals."
There's an incredible 52 teams taking to the water across Friday and Saturday - two boats at a time - to battle it out through various heats of 200m races, with each day culminating in major and minor finals to determine the day’s top four teams.
A semi-final and final will the take place, with the winning team being awarded the coveted Dragon Trophy.