COMPETITORS can get a head start on this year’s Dragon Boat Race for The Shakespeare Hospice.
The charity has announced the return of the popular event in September and is offering ‘early dragon’ tickets.
Teams of up to 17 people can secure their place for the event and pay £100 reduced from the normal registration fee of £250.
Last year the race attracted 27 teams from in and around Stratford and raised £37,000 for the Shottery-based hospice.
And this year’s race is again being sponsored by Western Power Distribution – for a sixth time running.
Power company spokesman Michael Wigmore said: “We have been honoured to make a contribution to the hospice’s fund-raising efforts through our annual sponsorship of the Shakespeare Hospice Dragon Boat Race.
“The event has raised more than £125,000 for the charity since our sponsorship and for that we are very proud. Once again, many of our local staff regularly take part and will compete in two boats and we hope that this year will be well attended. It is always a fantastic day so we hope that many local businesses will get involved.”
Fund-raising manager Caroline Lawrence added: “We are delighted that Western Power Distribution has agreed to continue to sponsor our Dragon Boat Race in 2019. We really hope that our local community will come back and join in this event, particularly as it was such an exciting grand final last year with six boats.
“We get fantastic feedback from everyone involved so we are hoping that we can increase the number of teams taking part this year and have another nail-biting finish!”
The race will be held on Sunday September 15 from Stratford Boat Club.
Visit www.theshakespearehospice.org.uk to register.
