Information Pack and Entry Forms
l and a v ti s e F t a o gon B a r D r u o n i t s ing e y r fl e t s e n i c n n a a l g u r Amb howin i s A r o o f w s t k r n u a o h y T keep p l e h o t s d n raising fu Our Dragon Boat Festival will be a fun filled day for everyone taking part. You only have to ask our own DAAT team, who got involved with the Wilko Dragon Boat Festival last year—they can’t wait to do it again! Volunteer, Daisy, had a great time as you can see from this photo! Spectators who come along to cheer the teams on will experience the excitement too! Each boat takes 16 rowers plus a drummer to keep time. However you may enter teams of up to 20 so you can mix and match crew members for each heat.
Thanks to you we are able to help patients just like Freddie. Freddie was airlifted on Christmas Day after somehow managing to unlock a first floor window and falling onto the patio below. He needed two airlifts from us. Firstly to Derriford in Plymouth where he was stabilised and then to Frenchay in Bristol for emergency specialist treatment.
We’re delighted to say that Freddie, now five years old, has made a full recovery and is back to being a normal boisterous little fella, playing with his three sisters, including his twin Minnie!
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? g n i c a R t a o nB o g a r D s i t a Wh r? e t n e I o d w Ho Dragon Boat racing involves teams of 16 rowers in a 40 foot boat with a drummer and helm, paddling frantically to beat the other teams down the course. The drums, cheering and colourful boats make it an impressive and exciting sport both to watch and to compete in. Dragon Boat Racing has ancient Chinese origins and its history has been traced back more than 2000 years. The first participants were superstitious Chinese villagers who celebrated the 5th day of the 5th lunar month of the Chinese calendar. Racing was held to avert misfortune and encourage the rains needed for prosperity and the object of their worship was the dragon. The dragon of Asia has traditionally been a symbol of water. It is said to rule the rivers and seas and dominate the clouds and rains. Over the years a second story was integrated to give the festival a dual meaning - the touching saga of Qu Yuan. Legend has it that poet Qu Yuan was banished from the kingdom of Chu after the King fell under the influence of corrupt ministers. Qu Yuan spent many years wandering the countryside and composing great poetry until, on learning of his kingdom's defeat, he leapt into the Mi Lo River holding a great rock in a display of his heartfelt sorrow. The people loved Qu Yuan very much and raced out in their fishing boats to the middle of the river in a vain attempt to save him. They beat on drums and splashed their oars in the water, trying to keep the fish away from his body.
There are two ways to enter : 1.
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Team members pledge to raise a minimum sponsorship sum of £60 per person (includes boat hire); or Why not get your company to sponsor your boat at £300 plus VAT. Team members pledge to raise a minimum sponsorship of £40 per person
If you are a small team why not ask your customers, suppliers or other companies you know to boat share with you. It’s a great way to cement relationships. Or register your interest with us and we may be able to match you with another small group.
Why not set up an online team sponsorship page? Our Dragon Boat Festival is set up at www.justgiving.co.uk—simply search ‘Devon Air Ambulance Trust’ and follow the instructions. Alternatively download forms from our website.
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