Taking place on Saturday 24th June, visitors and race supporters are invited to wear red to join those competing in the Race and help turn Brindleyplace as red as possible in honour of Cure Leukaemia’s colours to help raise awareness and funds toward the charity’s £1million Centre Appeal. Visitors can watch the Race live from the canalside or via the giant screen in Central Square, where there are market stalls and entertainment throughout the day, as well as a children’s fancy dress competition.

Nathan Sanghera, Marketing and Events Executive at Brindleyplace, said: “The response from local businesses has been fantastic this year and with a record-breaking target for Cure Leukaemia, we’re thrilled to have so many fantastic Birmingham based companies on board.

“As we countdown to the event next month we’ve been sending the teams and Brindleyplace businesses lots of ideas to help them raise and collect as much money as possible before race day. This year we’re also asking visitors to show their support by wearing Cure Leukaemia red so we can turn Brindleyplace red for the day and create a real spectacle on race day.”

In addition to the event’s sponsor, Deutsche Bank, who have been based on Brindleyplace for ten years this year, and are supporting the event for the sixth time, teams from Harvey Nash, Kind Consultancy, Genting Casinos, Jaguar Landrover, West Midlands Combined Authority, the NEC Group, Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, HomeServe, Siamais, Colliers, Nando’s, Middleton Foods, GVA and Cure Leukaemia will also be taking part.

Peter Hill, CEO at Middleton Foods and a blood cancer survivor, said: “Cure Leukaemia is a cause close to my heart, having been treated by Professor Charlie Craddock CBE, Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, ten years ago.

“Without the wonderful work of Cure Leukaemia, I wouldn’t be here today, so it’s great to be able to get not just my team, but my suppliers and customers involved in the Dragonboat Race this year to raise valuable funds for the charity.”

There will be entertainment, music, activities and competitions at Brindleyplace on Race Day on 24 June, with all monies going directly to Cure Leukaemia, including family-friendly face painting, puppet shows, traditional Chinese dancing, street performers and a Build your own Dragonboat workshop being run by the Ikon Gallery