A TOTAL 24 teams have already signed up to take part in this year’s Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival in aid of MacIntyre. And there’s still plenty of time to get a team together and join them on the start line.
The Festival, supported by Business MK
and MKFM, takes place at Willen Lake on June 23 and is one of the highlights of
the regional events calendar.
The Dragon Boat Festival attracts a
complete mix of new and returning crews and all with the same aim in mind – to
enjoy a fabulous day out with colleagues and friends and make a difference in
their community.
EDW Technology has been entering teams
into the Festival since 2012 and chief executive Simon Miles says that, as the company grows,
the competition for places increases every year,
“Now
that we are a bigger organisation with many more staff, the demand for rowing
places is very competitive. Since acquiring TEAM
Energy in 2017, last year was the first time we had a combined team from EDW
and TEAM. It turned out to be a fabulous way for us all to socialise and
integrate.
“We also revel in the friendly
competition that brings businesses in Milton Keynes together. It’s a fun day
out for all – both paddlers and supporters cheering from the side”.
EDW is one of several entrants opting for the enhanced Gold entry package which includes the
profile and fundraising benefits of the company’s logo on each side of a dragon
boat as well as a significant donation to MacIntyre.
Other Gold entrants include Collins
Aerospace, Home & Legacy, L&Q, Little Star Media, Pertemps Medical,
Samuel & Co Trading, The Paterson Group and two teams from SMC Pneumatics.
To take part in the
dragon boat racing and raise money for MacIntyre, no previous experience is
required – just plenty of team spirit and enthusiasm. The dragon boats,
qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided and each crew is
guaranteed a minimum of three races. There will also be a variety of bankside
entertainment to enjoy such as funfair rides, children’s activities and food
stalls.
MacIntyre
is looking forward to supporting and promoting the fundraising activities of
the competing teams. As well as raising vital funds to support its work with
over 1,200 children, young people and adults who have a learning disability or
autism, the Dragon Boat Festival provides the charity with an opportunity to
raise its profile within the corporate sector and wider community.
The top fundraisers for MacIntyre will win the Charity trophy plus a
special prize meal, sponsored by Merinvest, at highly rated Melis Restaurant in
Central Milton Keynes.
“Last
year’s event was amazing and we’re really looking forward to doing it all again,”
says MacIntyre’s head of fundraising Claire Kennedy. “Every penny raised will
be used to benefit people in the Milton Keynes area. The funds raised will
support our sports projects which aim to make sport equally accessible for
people with a learning disability and other complex needs who want to
participate.”
For further information and an entry
form visit: www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/miltonkeynes or call Gable Events on 01780 470718.
For information about MacIntyre, visit www.macintyrecharity.org or call 01908 230100.
