Race with the dragon

Sunday 13 May 2007

Businesses from across Hertfordshire battled it out at the Charity Dragon boat racing at Fairlands Valley Park on Sunday May 13th 2007 in aid of local charity, Mercy Ships. Mercy Ships is an international charity – its UK offices are based in Stevenage that provides free medical care and humanitarian aid to the people of Africa.

Teams from EADS Astrium, AVC, Fitness First, Blackmore Quality Management Services, G9 Networking and Jumpin Jaks competed in a series of heats on the day, braving the miserable weather.

The winning team was The Quality Crew (Blackmore Quality Management Services), the runner up was the Belfry Boys (AVC).

The winning team - the Quality Crew

The semi-finalists were the G9 Dragons (the G9 Business Networking Group) and the Flailing Paddles (EADS Astrium).  

Mel Blackmore, Managing Director of Blackmore Quality Management Services, the main sponsor of the event, said:

“Corporate charity events can sometimes be boring and limited to a few people in the office so we wanted to put on an exciting and fun charity day that will be a good team building event, as well as providing a fun day for the whole family. The feedback from the event has been amazing and we have been asked by all the teams, when we are doing the next one.” 

Glenda Elder, Corporate Fundraiser for Mercy Ships UK, said:

“Thank you to everyone involved for their time, commitment and just for turning up despite the rain!”

Neeley Casserly of Eye Candy Events, organisers of the Dragon boat racing event, said:

“We are really pleased with the response to the event, everyone had a great day despite the weather and we have raised over £3000 for Mercy Ships which is fantastic!”

Interested in entering a team in 2009?

If you're interested in entering a team in 2009 then contact Mel Blackmore at Blackmore Quality Management Services via email enquiries@bqms.co.uk to register your interest.

The supported charity — Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships is an international charity with offices in Stevenage, providing urgent surgeries and community development in countries with no affordable health care, through ships and land programmes.

The new hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, formerly a Danish ferry, has been converted to provide 6 operating theatres, an intensive care unit, a 78-bed recovery ward and cabin space for over 480 volunteer medical teams and crew. She sails in Spring 2007 from Newcastle to bring hope and healing to those in need in Liberia, West Africa.

For more information visit www.mercyships.org.uk – Mercy Ships can only operate with support from volunteers and funds given to the charity - we hope you can help us.

Main event sponsor

Blackmore Quality Management Services

Other sponsors:

In support of:

Registered Charity: 1053055