More than £20,000 has been raised at our first Dragon Boat Race on the Isle of Wight.
Ten Island businesses came together for the debut event at Island Harbour at the end of August. Teams braved inclement weather to compete in three high-energy heats, before the top three fastest teams progressed to a tense final.
One of the event’s headline sponsors, WH Brading, rowed to an emphatic victory in the final, with PC Consultants in second and WRS in third place.
“Our team swapped spreadsheets for paddles at the Dragon Boat Race raising funds for Wessex Cancer Support.
“The weather gave us everything and there will definitely be some sore arms but it was a wholesome day out with the team, all for a brilliant cause.”
Tom Couch, Biscoes SolicitorsBiscoes Solicitors, who have selected WCS as the company’s charity of the year, and financial firm Rouse Ltd also sponsored the event.
“What a day. It was brilliant to watch the event come to fruition, with ten amazing teams giving it their all when it came to competing and fundraising. We are so overwhelmed by everyone’s support and we can’t wait to do it all over again next year.”
Lorraine White, Head of Community, Events and Partnerships, Wessex Cancer SupportTo register your interest in next year’s event, head to Register your interest in our 2026 Dragon Boat Race | Wessex Cancer Support
Wessex Cancer Support provides free, local and personalised emotional support to anyone affected by cancer in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. Clients may have cancer themselves, be adjusting to life after cancer, supporting someone with cancer, or be bereaved. It is a charity which relies on donations to provide this support.
Through its four cancer support centres in Chandler’s Ford, Bournemouth, Waterside (Hythe) and Newport (Isle of Wight), the charity offers a drop-in service, professional counselling, complementary therapies, activities, support groups and courses. It also provides online services so people can access support from the comfort of their own home.
We run services in the heart of the community, including popular Sing for Life choirs and MENtalk.
In 2024, we provided 19,000 client support sessions across its four cancer support centres and more than 15,000 journeys on its Daisy Buses. It provided 1,360 online support sessions. 99% of clients rated the support they received as good or excellent.
Learn more about us hereContact
Email: media@wessexcancer.org.uk
Tel: 023 8067 2200 [office hours]