Dragon Boat Spectacular, Makes a Splash, Raising Over £100,000 for Two Incredible Charities
17/07/2026
Sunshine, sausage rolls and spectacular teamwork were the winning ingredients as the 3rd Annual Dragon Boat Spectacular, hosted by the Boparan Charitable Trust and Greggs Foundation, returned to the beautiful North Yorkshire Waterpark last week.
More than 120 enthusiastic paddlers took to the water, battling it out in a series of fiercely contested races as colleagues, friends and supporters cheered them on from the shoreline. With glorious summer sunshine providing the perfect backdrop, the event once again proved to be a highlight of the fundraising calendar.
The racing itself was nothing short of thrilling. With only seconds separating the leading crews, the final came down to a dramatic sprint to the finish, with “Merry Chef One” paddling their way to victory to be crowned the 2026 Dragon Boat Champions.
This year’s event also marked a significant milestone, with the partnership between the Boparan Charitable Trust and Greggs Foundation surpassing £100,000 raised over the past three years. The funds will continue to support the life-changing work of both charities, helping children, young people and communities across the UK.
Gareth Aston, Director of the Boparan Charitable Trust, said:
“The Dragon Boat Spectacular has become so much more than a fundraising event—it’s a celebration of teamwork, community and making a real difference. We’d like to thank every team, volunteer, sponsor and supporter who helped make the day such a success”.
