In 2015, the event raised £65,000 for Cure Leukaemia, a figure worth £650,000 in potentially life-saving treatments for blood cancer patients. Cure Leukaemia Patron, former footballer and blood cancer survivor, Geoff Thomas, will be competing in this year’s race as part of Cure Leukaemia’s ‘boat of dads’. A limited number of spaces are available to join the Cure Leukaemia team, dressed as characters from Dad’s Army.

Geoff said: “I’m really looking forward to the Brindleyplace Dragonboat Race in June. It’s going to be a great event for a fantastic charity and one that I owe my life to. I wish the teams taking part great success with their fundraising, as I know it will go towards helping save lives. There are still places available in our boat so get in touch to help us take the trophy home and help us avoid the Paddle of Pity for a second year running!”

Although the competition is light hearted on the day, the cause is a serious one and every team, which includes ten paddlers and one drummer, has a target of raising at least £2,000 for blood cancer charity, Cure Leukaemia.

Cure Leukaemia’s digital media partner Elonex Outdoor Media and production partner Event Staging Ltd will be providing a large LED screen that will show the races live with commentary in Central Square where you will also find plenty of fun family activities taking place throughout the day; including a craft and food market, puppet shows, face painting and a birds of prey display. There will even be a free entry into a kid’s fancy dress competition with National Sea Life Centre Birmingham tickets up for grabs for the lucky winner.

Alex Perrins, Marketing Executive at Brindleyplace, said: “The Dragonboat Race is one of Birmingham’s most anticipated annual fundraising events. This is a totally unique event to the city and nowhere else in Birmingham can you watch this fantastic spectacle for free! There’s also plenty for the whole family to enjoy throughout the day in the Central Square so please do bring the family along. Plus, there will be performances from traditional Chinese Lion Dancers in between the racing.

“The event raised £65,000 for Cure Leukaemia in 2015 and, getting into the competitive spirit of the event, we want to raise a record £70,000 this year with everyone’s support.”

Companies taking part this year include: Deutsche Bank, Matalan, Interserve, Barclays, Vodafone, Hines, CAU, Bilfinger GVA, Click Travel, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Birmingham Chinatown Lions, Carillion, The Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee and Cure Leukaemia.

On the day there will also be a competition to win a three-night stay in New York courtesy of Your Travel Group – all proceeds from this will go to Cure Leukaemia.