Event will form part of anniversary celebrations.
As part of Brindleyplace’s 20th anniversary celebrations, the canalside estate is on the hunt for 20 brave teams to take part in its annual Dragonboat race to raise money in support of its chosen charity partner of the year, Cure Leukaemia.
Now in its 16th year, the Dragonboat Festival is one of the most established annual corporate fundraising events in Birmingham which sees businesses from across the West Midlands battle it out against each other in a series of heats in traditional Chinese longboats along the Birmingham and Worcester canal at Brindleyplace. This year, the charity boat-race will take place on Saturday 30 May and aims to raise a record amount of £100,000 for Cure Leukaemia, helping to mark the 20th anniversary of Brindleyplace.
The money raised from this year’s Dragonboat Festival will help provide support for the life-saving work carried out at the Centre for Clinical Haematology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, and will increase the Centre’s ability to deliver pioneering treatments for blood cancer patients.
Businesses interested in entering a team need to register before 30 April 2015, and as a special 20th anniversary twist, all the teams participating will be required to choose fancy dress costumes that represent one year between 1996 and 2015 – whether that’s from film, TV, music, news or sport.
Alison McKenna, Senior Marketing Executive at Brindleyplace, said: “We raised a phenomenal amount last year and broke our own charity record by raising £66,000 in aid of Help Harry Help Others (HHHO). Now – as we look to celebrate Brindleyplace’s 20th anniversary – we’re aiming to make this a milestone year to remember and would like to raise even more with everyone’s support.”
For the fifth year running, the charity boat race will be sponsored by Deutsche Bank. Last year the Brindleyplace-based business impressively raised £33,118 for HHHO. Since the Dragonboat Festival started in 2000, Brindleyplace has raised an impressive £350,000 for local charities, thanks to the support from all the participating businesses in Birmingham.
Paul Anderson, Head of Deutsche Bank Birmingham, said: “The Dragonboat race is one of the most competitive and popular team-building business events which takes place at Brindleyplace. It’s great to be sponsoring the event again this year and I want to encourage teams to sign up before all the places are reserved and best costume ideas taken.”
Jackie Kelly, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Cure Leukaemia, said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen as the official charity for this year’s Dragonboat Festival and believe that, with our extensive network of corporate fundraisers, combined with the passion of Brindleyplace’s tenants and visitors, we’ll raise a tremendous amount of money, helping to provide pioneering, life-saving treatments for those diagnosed with leukaemia.”
Each team entered, comprising of 10 rowers and one drummer, is required to raise £2,500 through sponsorship including a £500 deposit with all funds raised going to Cure Leukaemia. There will be an array of top prizes on offer for the winning team, highest fundraisers, best fancy dress and top team name.
The prizes include: a corporate box at the Barclaycard Arena to a major event courtesy of Elonex Outdoor Media, corporate advertising on Elonex Outdoor Media screens within Birmingham city centre, tickets to the Ashes test at Edgbaston and Natwest T20 matches at Edgbaston and tables of 11 at both Glynn Purnell’s Friday Night Kitchen and Brindleyplace-based restaurant Piccolino. Additionally, to encourage some healthy competition during the races, the team which finishes last will be awarded the 2015 Paddle of Pity.
In addition to the Dragonboat race, there will be a host of family-friendly activities taking place in Central Square, including live music, activities and entertainment, a craft market and food stalls during the course of the day. In partnership with Cure Leukaemia‘s digital media partner, Elonex Outdoor Media, Dragonboat team families and supporters will also be able to watch a live stream of the race from Central Square, and will have the opportunity to meet Cure Leukaemia’s local celebrity friends to be announced nearer the date.
For more information about the Dragonboat Festival or to request a registration pack email [email protected] or visit www.brindleyplace.com.
