Dragon Boats sighted on Olympics Lake

It will be the second big event of the season, following the Deloitte & Sailors’ Society Cycle in Southampton on 10 May.Jan Webber, Head of Fundraising and Marketing for the Sailors’ Society explained why it is important to support the world’s seafarers, saying, ‘Seafarers are often away from their families for months at a time and our network of Port Chaplains across nearly 100 ports world wide provide practical support and counselling during brief stops on these gruelling journeys. We all rely on seafarers for the goods we enjoy everyday.’

She added, ‘A huge amount of effort goes into fundraising events and we’ve already had a great response from the shipping industry for the Dragon Boat Challenge and from the local community for the Cycle. We’re incredibly grateful to all the volunteers and participants for both events but we still need more!’

The Deloitte & Sailors’ Society Cycle is an event for all the family with different routes to choose from based on experience and fitness levels. There is even an opportunity to cycle within Southampton Docks, not normally open to the public, with excellent views over the Solent from Dock Head.

At the last Dragon Boat Challenge in 2007 the Sailors’ Society raised in excess of £90,000 and organisers hope they will smash that amount this time round.

Of the June Dragon Boat Challenge, Sailors’ Society events fundraiser Felicity Patterson said, ‘To host the event at Dorney Lake will obviously be a momentous occasion. It will be a very family orientated day with activities such as tug of war, clay pigeon shooting and face painting being organised. There will also be a competitive element between the teams. At the last challenge there were just two seconds between the top three boats. Not only will entrants have the chance to row on the site before the Olympic teams, they will also be raising funds for a worthy cause.’

There are still opportunities available to enter a team, which must comprise of ten rowers and one drummer. A suggested donation of £300 for each participant is aimed for, which participants can raise through sponsorship.

For further information on how to enter the Deloitte & Sailors’ Society Cycle in Southampton on May 10 or the Dragon Boat Challenge at Dorney Lake on June 27, visit www.sailors-society.org or contact Felicity Patterson on 023 8051 5950.