City News

The Brindleyplace Dragonboat Festival 2010 has been launched with a splash at the national SEALIFE centre in Brindleyplace.

Over 60 guests attended the evening launch event including representatives from Aston Villa Football Club, Virgin Media, Goodyear Dunlop, GVA Grimley and Argent.  The afterhours event to launch the canal based charity race included aptly themed refreshments from Tin Tin Chinese Restaurant plus a private viewing of the SEALIFE centre’s latest attractions including new hammerhead sharks.

The evening’s presentations were held in the centre’s 4D cinema and opened by presenter Russ Morris of BRMB, Brindleyplace’s host partner for the event.  Russ was followed by Brindleyplace marketing and PR manager Kate Gregson and Fidelis Hynam from Birmingham Children's Hospital, who together explained the importance of the Dragonboat Festival as both a fantastic day of entertainment and Brindleyplace’s biggest fundraising event of the year.

Kate Gregson commented:  “We were delighted to receive such a great turn out to the official launch of this year’s Dragonboat Festival and hosting it within the marine surroundings of the SEALIFE centre was certainly very apt.  The support from businesses and individuals signing up teams for this year’s event has already been fantastic but we are looking for even more teams to fill our Dragonboats and ensure we raise as much money as possible for this year’s chosen charity – Birmingham Children’s Hospital.”

This year Brindleyplace hopes to beat its fundraising record of £30,000 and make a real difference to the lives of the children and families who visit Birmingham Children’s Hospital every year.  Caring for 225,000 sick children from across the UK each year, the hospital’s medical and nursing teams provide the best possible treatment and the very highest standards of care.   By updating and developing its current site, the hospital is working to create a world class children’s hospital, capable of delivering 21st century medicine in a spacious, modern and child friendly environment.  

Fidelis Hynam from the Development Team at Birmingham Children’s Hospital said: “It is so exciting to be part of the region’s most exciting summer event!  Not only will the competition for best dressed and fastest team be a spectacle to behold, we will also be having a range of fun arts and crafts family activities plus all the usual fantastic activities.”

The Brindleyplace Dragonboat Festival 2010 will take place on Saturday 26th June from 10am until 4pm, in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.  The event incorporates up to 20 teams in Chinese Dragonboats racing up the canal in a series of heats.  The full day of activity also includes a variety of Chinese themed entertainment including Lion Dancers and live music.

Businesses and groups of friends are invited to be a part of the day by entering a Dragonboat team and racing in this highly competitive yet fun event.  Team prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places plus the best fancy dress and the most amount of money raised for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Teams will need to recruit a team of 12 rowers and 1 drummer and commit to raise a minimum of £1,250 which will ALL be donated to Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The race starts at the Pitcher and Piano in Brindleyplace and the winning post is at the NIA.  Each team will get the chance to race in a minimum of three heats.

Application forms to register a team for Dragonboat can be downloaded at www.brindleyplace.com. For further information, please contact Kate Gregson on
0121 600 5814 or email Kategregson@brindleyplace.com