Help needed to keep town’s Dragon Boat event afloat

The fundraising event that has taken place in May in St Nicholas Park has been growing in size and popularity over the past two years, but will not return unless someone can be found to take over the organisation of it.

It was set up and organised by the small Funraisers group, who hold similar events around the country. But despite the thousands raised for charity and the popularity of the event, they are stepping back from some of the events they raise and need someone to step in and take it over.

Organiser Pip Lightbody said: “There is a danger of it not returning. We are probably going to have to pull back.

“We’re a small group of mates and we run a big event in Kent, one in Bristol, and we’ve had three or four a year in total and it’s got too much. We are all working and we over-egged it a bit and need to pull back.

“Being based in Sussex, it’s not easy to run it in Warwickshire. This would really benefit from local management. If we hand it over it can grow, I think it can get better and better. It’s a great spot, that waterway is lovely, and the local authority havsbeen brilliant frankly.

“What we’re doing is working with any entity who might want to take it over. It is very much at an early point, so I couldn’t say whether it will go ahead or not.

“Our ethos is to have it as an open event. If it can get corporate sponsorship then it means you can keep the entry fee down and attract more people. I’m sure it won’t go pear-shaped. It is a very popular event.”

The Honiley-based Enrych charity, which works with people with disabilities, has expressed an interest in taking up the reigns but can’t do it alone.

Susan Head of Enrych said: “Enrych has benefited from the Dragon Boat Race over the years - from this one event we can fundraise and involve our members with disabilities on a great day out and we also reach many members of the public to help them know more about our work.

“The event has become a vital part of Warwickshire and a lot of charities will be very concerned that this awareness raising and fundraising activity will be lost to them.

“With the right company working with us, Enrych would open the event to any charity no matter how large or small to raise funds.”

To get involved call Susan Head on 485446.