The East Anglian Dragon Boat race is calling on Suffolk businesses to team up, get involved and raise money.

East Anglian Daily Times: Dragon boat racing at previous East Anglian Dragon Boat FestivalsDragon boat racing at previous East Anglian Dragon Boat Festivals (Image: Archant)

The annual festival, which attracts new and returning crews from all over Suffolk and Norfolk, will be fundraising for East Coast Hospice.

Two-time reigning champions, Netmatters, are back along with Corton Coastal Village, Southwood Hall, Mumfords of Southwold (Silver crew), Grosvenor Casino, Progress Recruitment Solutions, James Fisher Marine Services (Gold crew), Associated British Ports (Silver crew), Bourne Leisure-Gunton Hall, Lovewell Blake and the representing Festival charity, East Coast Hospice.

One of the many new teams on the start line this year will be the crew from Norwich-based Progress Recruitment.

Managing Director for Progress Recruitment, Laura Rycroft, said: “We have entered the Dragon Boat Challenge as a team building exercise whilst raising the profile of our company in the local area. The company has doubled in size over the last few months so this will be an excellent opportunity for the new and existing members of the team to bond whilst raising money for charity.”

For accountancy firm, Lovewell Blake, this will be their fourth year of ‘racing the dragon’ and their team will be made up of staff from their Lowestoft and Halesworth offices.

Receptionist for Lovewell Blake, Beth Carpenter, said: “Most of the team would say they want to take a trophy away. But I think they have realised now that won’t happen so they like to take away the fact they will have had a great day out and met new people and seen new faces.

“We look forward to it each year. We are raising money for East Coast Hospice and are hoping to raise as much money as we can throughout all the offices of Lovewell Blake.”

The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided, with each crew guaranteed at least three races.

The 11th East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival takes place on May 14 at Oulton Broad, Lowestoft.

The team who raises the most will be treated to a celebratory meal at the Hotel Victoria, Lowestoft.

To take part in the dragon boat racing and help ‘Raise the Roof’ of East Coast Hospice, please visit dragonboatfestivals.co.uk or call Gable Events on 01780 470718.