Record-Breaking Dragon Boat Race Raises £244,189 for Bluebell Wood Hospice

Strategic Insights -

The 8th annual Dragon Boat race held at Manvers Lakes in Rotherham saw 19 teams, including Bluebell Wood's own Care Team, compete in a thrilling series of races to raise funds for the £6.7m a year hospice. The event, sponsored by E.ON, attracted a large crowd and saw the E.ON Rowers and the Bluebell Wood Care Team battling it out in the final. The fundraising total was boosted by pre-event initiatives, including a team raffle with prizes such as festival tickets and holiday vouchers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Dragon Boat race has been an annual event for 8 years, supporting the vital work of Bluebell Wood, which provides end-of-life care, post-death support, respite care, and sibling support to children, babies, young people, and their families across the region.
  • 19 teams participated in the event, including the E.ON Rowers and Bluebell Wood's own Care Team, who competed in a dramatic finale to raise funds for the hospice.
  • The event was sponsored by E.ON, which also entered its own team into the race, demonstrating the company's commitment to supporting local communities around its Blackburn Meadows biomass plant.
  • The fundraising total of £244,189 is a record-breaking amount, which will play a huge part in supporting Bluebell Wood's work in providing essential care to local families.
  • The event was also supported by pre-event initiatives, including a team raffle with prizes such as festival tickets, a Ninja CREAMi, and holiday vouchers.
  • Heidi Hawkins, chief executive at Bluebell Wood, praised the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone involved in the event, thanking them for their support in raising this record-breaking amount.

Statistics:

  • £244,189: The record-breaking amount raised for Bluebell Wood Hive Hospice
  • £6.7m a year: The £6.7m a year Bluebell Wood needs to continue its vital work
  • 8 years: The number of years the Dragon Boat race has been an annual event
  • 19 teams: The number of teams that participated in the event, including the E.ON Rowers and Bluebell Wood's own Care Team
  • 2,000: The number of people who attended the event (estimated)

Sources:

  • Bluebell Wood
  • E.ON
  • Independen press release