PICTURES: Teams from across the country and closer to home battled it out on the River Medina today (Thursday) at the annual Isle of Wight Festival Dragon Boat Race.
Celebrities Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy once again showed their support for the event when they flew into Island Harbour. Unfortunately, Shane was unable to race due to an injury but fellow Boyzone band member Keith Duffy couldn’t wait to jump in a dragon boat for the third year running. 80s music star Midge Ure, who has been performing at nearby Medina Theatre, also swung by.
Local firms Wightlink and Red Funnel joined larger organisations such as Heineken in taking to the water to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer. It’s the second year that the Festival-organised event has supported the charity with over £64,000 raised in 2016.
Plenty of spectators turned out to watch the racing and – much to John Giddings’ delight – the rain held off to provide dry but chilly conditions on the banks of the River Medina.
The Isle of Wight Festival 2017 takes place from 8th-11th June at Seaclose Park, Newport.
UPDATE @ 20:08 – 4 teams went into the final race but it was Wightlink that came out on top with a time of 1:14, closely followed by Connor Construction just 1 second behind (Thanks to Suzanne and Alan Whitewood for the results!).
Awards were presented to the winning teams by Keith Duffy, with Wightlink winning tickets to this years Isle Of Wight Festival.
John Giddings said:
“It’s fantastic to be back at The Isle Of Wight Dragon Boat Race, and to be partnering with Stand Up To Cancer once more. There has been an incredible atmosphere down here today, it’s great to have such huge support for an incredible cause.”
Rachel Carrm Head of Stand Up To Cancer said:
“We are really proud of our continued partnership with the Isle of Wight Festival and massively value their support. As always, the atmosphere today was incredible and we are so grateful to everyone who took part today and all our amazing volunteers who help make days like this possible.”
