Starting a new fund-raising event takes effort and time as it gathers momentum and this is very true of Pangbourne Rotary’s Annual Dragon Boat Challenge, which started in 2001.

The first three years each saw some £3,500 raised for numerous and varied charities.  In 2004, with awareness and on-going popularity increasing, the amount lifted to about £5,000.  The 2005 Challenge reached a record net £8,400 that was donated to the many named charities and good causes.  2006 raised £7,500, but there were fewer crews that year.  However, with the 2007 event surpassed all expectations with some £15,000 being raised charitable purposes.

The total net amount raised over the seven
years is some £46,500

Just some of the charities and causes that have been supported are:

Great Ormond Street Hospital, Reading Cancer Care – Royal Berks Hospital, Reading Samaritans, Cardiac Dept - Royal Berks Hospital, Summerfield House in Abingdon (Assisted Living & Memory Care), Macmillan Nurses, Clic Sargent (Child Cancer Care), Adventure Dolphin Centre for young people, Muscular Dystrophy, Breast Cancer Campaign, Sobwell House Cancer Hospice, Reading Single Homeless Project, Sue Ryder (Nettlebed Hospice), Berkshire Community Foundation, COSMIC, Duchess of Kent House Hospice, Mobility Trust, Cancer Research UK, 365 Alive Seat Belt Campaign and many smaller causes.

Our Rotary Club are indebted to all the organisations and individuals who have formed the crews and donated time and effort to make this popular and fun event so worthwhile. 

In particular we give heartfelt thanks to the members of Henley Dragon Boat Club who have worked so hard in partnership with us to ensure its success and recognition. 

We look forward to many more successful and enjoyable events, and being able to help people who face personal difficulties and hardship.