Local companies get fired up for the Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival!

Posted 27th February 2017

Companies, clubs and organisations from across the region have been getting their teams together and signing up to take part in this year’s eagerly anticipated Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival in aid of Age UK Milton Keynes. The Festival takes place at Willen Lake on Sunday 25th June and there’s still plenty of time to raise a team and get involved!

The Dragon Boat Festival attracts up to 60 companies each year – a complete mix of new and returning crews and all with the same aim in mind – to enjoy a fabulous day out with colleagues and friends and make a difference in their community.

One of the new entrants to take up the challenge this year is Blum UK. Based in Kingston, Milton Keynes, Blum delivers kitchen fittings all over the country and has grown substantially over the last five years, with now well over 50 employees. Their crew manager and sales administrator, Emma Fletcher explains why they are giving it a go, “We hope that it will improve the bonds between those within the company taking part. Also, it will be nice to let people attending the event know what Blum do as everyone has a kitchen and unbeknown to them they could be using Blum on a daily basis. The team includes men and women from all over the business, we do have some characters taking part and you will definitely see us coming if the t-shirts we are thinking about work out…get your sunglasses on! The dragon boat challenge is one of the main events in the Milton Keynes calendar and this year we want Blum to be involved and shine orange… go the Buk-ineers!”

Blum is one of several entrants so far opting for the enhanced Gold and Silver entry packages which include the profile and fundraising benefits of the company’s logo on each side of a dragon boat as well as a significant donation to Age UK Milton Keynes. Other early entrants include Topdrill Ltd and SMC Pneumatics Ltd (Gold crews), PJ Care and AC Flooring Ltd (Silver crews) as well as standard entries from Braai Shack Restaurant, Interserve and the team representing Festival charity Age UK Milton Keynes.

Age UK Milton Keynes is looking forward to supporting and promoting the fundraising activities of the competing teams that raise vital funds for their services. This is a critical time for older people in the community and Age UK Milton Keynes needs to be able to offer support to those who are the most isolated and lonely, many of whom are in their eighties and nineties or even older. There are ever-increasing pressures on these resources and the demand will continue to grow as we all move towards later life.

The top fundraisers for Age UK Milton Keynes will win the Charity trophy plus a voucher worth up to £350 towards a celebratory meal at Zen Garden Oriental Buffet Restaurant in Central Milton Keynes.

To take part in the dragon boat racing and help raise money for Age UK Milton Keynes, no previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit and enthusiasm! The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races. There will also be a variety of bankside entertainment to enjoy such as funfair rides, children’s activities and food stalls.

For further information and an entry form visit: www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/miltonkeynes or call Gable Events on 01780 470 718. For information about Age UK Milton Keynes visit www.ageukmiltonkeynes.org.uk or call 01908 550700