Peterborough shoppers try dragon boat out for size

February 25, 2020

Ahead of the 22nd Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival splashing into the city in June, shoppers were able to try a 30 foot dragon boat out for size at the weekend.

The brightly coloured boat, complete with carved dragon’s head and traditional drum, was on display in Serpentine Green on Saturday 22 February. Shoppers were able to sit in the boat, try out the paddles and have a go at beating out time on the drum.

Representatives from the festival’s organisers, Gable Events, sponsor Whirlpool UK and chosen charity Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice were on hand to share more information about the event.

Entries are now officially open for the Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival 2020, which will take place on Saturday 13 June at Peterborough Rowing Club.

This year’s festival will see teams taking to the water and competing over the 200 metre course in authentic dragon boats, each with a drummer at the front beating out time.

As well as the races, which are expected to be watched by several thousand spectators, there will be plenty of bankside entertainment and stalls for all the family to enjoy.

The festival will once again raise vital funds for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, which is the only specialist palliative care inpatient unit in Peterborough and cares for people with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Last year’s festival raised £35,000 for the hospice, which could pay for over 1,800 hours of its care.

Nilesh Patel, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said: “We are thrilled to once again be the charity partner for the Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival. We want to make sure the 2020 festival is the biggest and best so far and are searching for teams to take part.

“Dragon boat racing is so much fun – it works really well for groups of workmates, friends and families. It is inclusive and you don’t need any previous experience, just plenty of fighting experience and competitive spirit.

“The funds raised at the Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival will make sure we can carry on providing our palliative care and bereavement support and being there when it matters for local families.”

The popular Peterborough event has sold out in the previous two years, and with entries already in from Buckles Solicitors, Ormiston Meadows Academy,  Moulton Bulb Co, Western Union, Westone Housing and Whirlpool, 2020 promises to be a splashing success too.

For more information about the Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival and how to sign up, please email thorpe.fundraising@sueryder.org, call 01733 225999 or visit www.sueryder.org/peterborough-dragon-boat-festival-2020