I’m pleased to be rowing crew (as the Americans say) for the Liberian Registry’s (LISCR) boat in the fourth annual OSCAR Dragon Boat Race on Friday 15th September, which marks the finale of London International Shipping Week 2017.

LISCR have been generous sponsors and enthusiastic supporters of the OSCAR Dragon Boat Race every year and this is the second year they have entered a team. 

We will be competing alongside 23 other boats, some of which will aiming to be crowned the winner of this year’s event, while others will be happy if they don’t sink on the day - it’s not for the faint hearted I can assure you!

Dragon Boat racing is about having fun, but this day is also about raising money for an incredibly good cause. The OSCAR Dragon Boat Race raises money for the OSCAR campaign: a campaign founded and led by Phil Parry, a top bloke and great friend (oh, and Chairman of Spinnaker Global), whose son Oscar was diagnosed with leukemia at just three years old. Oscar received three life-saving transplants at Great Ormond Street Hospital, one of which was a ground-breaking stem cell transplant. Happily, Oscar celebrated his 18th birthday this year!

The money raised from the event will provide much needed funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital and its research partner, the UCL Institute of Child Health. The campaign has already raised over £1.5 million to support life-saving research and treatments, which are helping to beat childhood cancers and immune diseases.

Whatever energy we might have left after rowing ourselves silly, we’re all also going to be celebrating 20th birthday of Spinnaker Global after the race. Party! Party! 

Watch the highlights of last year’s event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y88BPH01y2o

Find out more about the Oscar campaign: http://www.gosh.org/get-involved/philanthropy/how-you-can-support-us/oscar

See the images from last year's race: https://www.flickr.com/photos/spinnakerglobal/sets/72157671135767734