Gong Hey Fat Choy! Here Come the Dragons!
January 27, 2020
To celebrate Chinese New Year, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) has joined with Gable Events to launch the 16th Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival!
The 2020 Festival takes place on Saturday 12 September on the River Cam at Fen Ditton and is one of the largest and most eagerly anticipated team events in the region. Over 40 crews representing companies and organisations from all over Cambridgeshire and surrounding areas are expected to battle it out over the 200m race course. They will all be seeking to knock Cooke Curtis & Co off their pedestal as reigning champions whilst also raising vital funds for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals.
Dragon boat racing has an ancient Chinese history dating back 2,000 years and according to the Chinese calendar, 2020 is the year of the rat. People born in this year are believed to be energetic, outgoing, sociable and high achievers – all important qualities for achieving dragon boat success this September and making a splash for Addenbrooke’s!
The Festival’s official charity is Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), which is the only charity dedicated to making a difference for patients at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals over and above what would be possible through NHS funding alone. By entering a dragon boat crew and raising money for ACT, the teams will be helping to raise much needed funds for high-tech equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research to find potential cures and help save lives locally, nationally and worldwide.
The ACT team were on hand in the Grafton Centre at the weekend showcasing this popular event that has become part of the Cambridge events calendar. Emily Willdigg, ACT’s Relationships Fundraising Lead, said: “Taking part in this action-filled event will give your company a unique opportunity to challenge your peers on the water and build relationships with businesses across Cambridge whilst supporting our great charity.
“Help us make Addenbrooke’s and The Rosie hospitals even better through improved patient care that allows more people to be diagnosed quicker and more accurately, to get the treatment they need in environments that support health, and to recover more quickly or get the support that they need. We expect places to be in high demand so recommend teams get their entries in early.”
No previous experience is required to take part, 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. The Festival offers a full day of fun on land as well as water with activities on the bankside to entertain teams and spectators. The event is supported by Cambridge Edition and Cambridge Independent.
The team raising the most money for ACT will be awarded the charity trophy and receive the special prize of a champagne punting tour along the River Cam courtesy of Scudamore’s.
For further information and to book your place on the start line please visit www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/cambridge or call Gable Events on 01780 470718.