Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), the dedicated charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals, is this year’s charity partner for the Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival, which launched on the River Cam yesterday (Thursday 19 February) – Chinese New Year.
The Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival, organised by Gable Events, is a 200 metre race that has taken place on the River Cam in Fen Ditton every September since 2004. Each year 48 businesses come together to battle it out in this iconic dragon boat race and raise money for charity.
The launch event, organised by ACT with support from punting company Scudamore’s and Cambridge City Council, involved a challenge between a classic Cambridge punt and a traditional Chinese dragon boat on the River Cam by Quayside.
Addenbrooke’s Hospital staff, ACT staff, trustees and supporters paddled the dragon boat in pursuit of the punt manned by Scudamore’s staff during the short race.
Michelle Gray, Head of Community Fundraising at Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust said: “We are especially delighted to be the festival charity this year as we are celebrating our 10th anniversary. We are excited to have launched the event in the centre of Cambridge and hope businesses will support our much-loved hospitals by getting a team together for this popular event in September. It was a close race with an even finish, but we like to think the dragon boat nudged ahead!”
Businesses can find out more and register their teams for the September event at www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/cambridge
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For more information contact Carla Brown, Corporate Fundraising Manager at ACT on 01223 348531 or carla.brown@addenbrookes.nhs.uk
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