Charity challenge is on for 'oar-some' champs
A CHARITY boat race will take place this summer – challenging participants to row and raise funds for a children's hospice.
The 2026 Bluebell Wood Dragon Boat Race will return for its ninth year on Saturday, July 11 and will see teams of 17 people per boat row to the beat of the drum on Manvers Lake in Wath Upon Dearne.
Sponsored again by E.ON, the charity challenge is one of the biggest fundraising events in the calendar for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in North Anston.
Heidi Hawkins, chief executive at Bluebell Wood, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome many of our valued corporate supporters back to the water this summer for our ninth annual Bluebell Wood Dragon Boat Race.
“This event has become one of the highlights of our fundraising calendar, and is always such a joyful, energising day for everyone involved.
“After raising more than £35,000 last year, we’re incredibly excited to see what this amazing community will achieve together once again.
“We’re also really pleased to have E.ON returning as our headline sponsor for this year’s Dragon Boat Race.
“Their support means the world to us, not just on race day, but all year round through their involvement in other projects including our Christmas Tree Recycling campaign.”
Jess Dhariwal, plant manager at E.ON’s Blackburn Meadows biomass energy plant, said: “We’re proud to sponsor Bluebell Wood’s Dragon Boat Race once again this year and it’s fantastic to have our own colleagues participating, too.
“Supporting communities near Blackburn Meadows is important to us.”
For more details about the race and to book a place, visit www.bluebellwood.org/Event/dragon-boat-race-2026.