Exciting Charity Dragon Boat Race in aid of the Rainbow Centre

06 June 2012

On 12th May, an enthusiastic team of Foresters Friendly Society employees took part in The Dragon Boat Challenge 2012 at Mayflower Park in Southampton in aid of The Rainbow Centre.

The Centre works to support children with cerebral palsy and adults with MS and Parkinson's disease as well as people who have had a stroke.

Competition was fierce as Foresters Friendly Society's colourful boat raced against 13 others representing local companies for places in the semi-finals. The Foresters team won three of its heats very comfortably but was narrowly beaten in its fourth heat. 

Grant Streader, Head of Insurance Operations at Foresters, said: "We might not have been the strongest or the fastest but we developed as a team and the rhythm [of our stroke] was oozing from us like a calypso beat on a Caribbean beach!"

The sound of beating drums and team leaders shouting the rhythm of the paddling accompanied the action in the water. Live music and family fun on the shore resulted in thousands of pounds raised for The Rainbow Centre.