A TEAM from Redditch came away with two trophies after competing in the 2018 Race the Dragon charity event on the River Severn last Sunday.
Organised by Worcester Dragon Boat Racing Club, Redditch’s ‘Flying Dragons’ team, skippered by brother and sister Li-an and Josh Yeng, picked up silverware in both the mixed crew event and in the Plate competition.
However the purpose of the day was to raise money for charity and this year the 16-strong team of paddlers from Redditch were putting all their efforts into the Eve Appeal.
This is a charity which is carrying out pioneering research into ways to help those with a genetic predisposition to cancer.
The charity also helps fund groundbreaking research into the five gynaecological cancers – womb, ovarian, cervical, vaginal and vulval.
Awareness of these cancers is very low and they are also very difficult to diagnose.
The Eve Appeal aims to change all as by raising awareness of what to look for as earlier diagnosis can lead to better outcomes for all.
“It was a wonderful day down on the river, good fun racing, ice cream, pig roast, we did our lion dance and all for charity,” said Boon Yeng, who led the team last year but has now been retired to the shore crew.
“They did really well too – there were 36 teams competing and to win two trophies is pretty good.
“We’d arranged three practice sessions but as the last one clashed with an England match we just had the two.”
Li-An and Josh are hoping to raise £1,500 and have so far reached the £620 mark.
As an added incentive Barclays Bank has said they will match fund their total up to £1,000.
Each year in the UK, more than 21,000 women are diagnosed with a form of gynaecological cancer. This is 58 women every day.
Sadly 21 women will die from a gynaecological cancer every day.
To support the team and help beat cancer, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/li-an-yeng1 .
