Excitement is building for this summer’s annual dragon boat race on the Ipswich Waterfront.
The Dragon Boat Spectacular has quickly become a hotly anticipated event in the Ipswich calendar.
Organised by the charity Brave Futures, the event sees upwards of 25 boats decked out as dragons setting off from the marina, all determined to win the race – and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever before.
"We're thrilled to welcome back the dragon boats for our fifth year," says Sandra Lucas, Corporate and Events Fundraiser for Brave Futures. "Each year, the event grows bigger and better, uniting the community in support of a crucial cause."
Brave Futures is a dedicated support service specialising in helping children, young people, and families affected by sexual abuse in and around Suffolk. Its importance cannot be overstated, especially given that the charity estimates that one in ten children experience sexual abuse.
Ms Lucas was joined at the Ipswich Waterfront on Monday by representatives of Brave Futures and sponsors of the event.
Last year saw 28 teams compete, and this year, Brave Futures aims to attract an impressive 35 teams to participate in the action-packed event.
Following the success of last year's event, Cory Brothers has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Dragon boat race.
“Last year’s sponsorship was incredibly rewarding for Cory Brothers, and the community response was phenomenal,” said Peter Wilson, Managing Director at Cory Brothers.
“As we celebrate the Year of the Dragon, we’re proud to support Brave Futures in making this fantastic event even bigger and raise more funds for their vital work with our local youth.”
With returning teams from previous years and additional teams already pledged, this year’s competition is expected to be fiercer than ever.
Those interested in participating are encouraged to sign up quickly to secure their place. Teams can register at bravefutures.org/events or contact Sandra at sandra@bravefutures.org for more information.
This year’s Dragon Boat Spectacular will take place on June 1.
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