Birmingham Hospice welcomed 20 teams and hundreds of rowers to Brindleyplace on 26 and 27 June for its biggest-ever Dragon Boat Race, raising over £25,000 to support specialist hospice care across Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
Held over two days during some of the hottest weather of the year, the event saw businesses and organisations from across the West Midlands battle it out on the water, with Harris Lamb crowned Friday’s champions and UKDA taking the Saturday title.
Among the competitors was Birmingham Hospice’s own team, No OAR-dinary Girls, made up of community nurses, healthcare assistants, consultants and members of the therapy team, who swapped providing expert end of life care for paddles and dragon boats in support of the hospice they work for every day.
Paul Bytheway, Chief Executive at Birmingham Hospice, attended both days and even stepped in to row when one team was short of a participant.
He said: “It was fantastic to see so many organisations come together to support Birmingham Hospice. Despite the incredible heat, the energy, enthusiasm and team spirit from everyone involved was amazing. Every team that took to the water has helped make a real difference to local people living with a terminal illness and their families.”
The event brought together teams from organisations including Rolls-Royce, npower, Grow Birmingham, Balfor Recruitment, No5 Barristers’ Chambers, Bidfood, Lloyds Transport, Radiant Financial, Brindleyplace, Austin Court, Birmingham Chinese Evangelical Church, Crowne Plaza, Lesbian Run Club, Mitie and CBRE.
Also taking part was Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, and participating carried a special meaning for Senior Marketing and Events Executive, Demi, whose stepdad, Trevor, received care from Birmingham Hospice earlier this year after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
Trevor spent his final two weeks at the hospice, where staff not only cared for him but also celebrated his 59th birthday with balloons, cake and music. Following his death, Demi’s sister has continued to receive bereavement support from the hospice.
Demi said: “Although we were heartbroken to lose my stepdad, he had the death he wanted, and we will always be grateful to Birmingham Hospice for making that possible. Taking part in the Dragon Boat Race felt like a wonderful way to give something back and help other families receive the same compassionate care and support that meant so much to us.”
Samantha Julius, Events Officer at Birmingham Hospice, added: “This was our biggest Dragon Boat Race yet, with the event expanding across two days for the first time. We’d like to thank every team, volunteer, supporter and our hosts at Brindleyplace for making the event such a success. The money raised will help ensure we can continue providing expert care for local people when they need us most.
“Following this year’s incredible response, we’re already looking ahead to 2027. The Dragon Boat Race will return on the last weekend of June, and organisations can now register their interest to take part. Whether you’re entering to build team spirit, challenge colleagues or support a fantastic local cause, we’d love to welcome you to the starting line.”
Organisations interested in taking part in Birmingham Hospice’s 2027 Dragon Boat Race, taking place on the last weekend of June, can now register their interest online.
Friday’s winners – Harris Lamb
Saturday’s winners UKDA
