The annual St Rocco’s Dragon Boat Race, sponsored by property investor Assura Group, raised over £16,000 for patients at the Warrington-based hospice earlier this month.
Assura Group was corporate sponsor for the Dragon Boat Race after choosing St Rocco’s Hospice as one of its nominated charities earlier this year. Launched in 2009, the popular event is now held annually with the aim of raising as much money as possible for the charity through participants’ sponsorship.
This year over 300 people took part in the event, with 15 mixed teams racing on the River Mersey. As well as sponsoring the event Assura Group also entered a team, which included managing director of property Andrew Darke. The overall winners were ‘The A Team’, made up of workers from Warrington Borough Council.
Graham Roberts, chief executive of Assura Group, said: “We’re delighted to have been involved in the St Rocco’s race. It is a real community event and always generates a great deal of support. The money raised will go to an extremely worthy cause, providing crucial respite care for patients in need.”
Claire Houghton, St. Rocco’s Fundraising Manager, said, “The day was really successful – everyone had a great time. Since its launch, the race has gone from strength to strength, which is down to generous sponsors such as Assura Group and all the participants who take part so enthusiastically.”