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Spectacular dragon boat race raises £85k

BBC/Heidi Tomlinson Two dragon boats, with green dragon heads and crewed by rowers in red life jackets, colourful wigs and rainbow skirts, prepare to set off on the River Ouse.BBC/Heidi Tomlinson
Teams don fancy dress and race three times, before the event ends with a grand final

More than £85,000 has been raised for charity by competitors taking part in York's Dragon Boat Race.

The annual event, organised by York Rotary, involves 36 teams racing boats fitted with dragon heads on the River Ouse.

Two MPs were among those taking part in the colourful spectacle, which has raised more than £1.5m since it began in 2003.

Brian Joscelyne, co-chairman of York Rotary, said about 40 charities would benefit from the money raised.

A head and shoulders view of Brian Joscelyne, who is wearing a blue cap with a yellow rotary club logo.
Brian Joscelyne said some riverside stalls at the event had been affected by poor weather

Mr Joscelyne said poor weather meant footfall was "down a bit", but the organisers were well on their way to raising about £100,000 for their main charity, York Samaritans, along with other local and national causes.

Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP for York Central, and Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton, competed in the races between Scarborough Rail Bridge and Lendal Bridge.

The green dragon head of boat, which has painted red lips and a white and red eye, is seen just above the water of the River Ouse
York Rotary raises funds for a range of local charities, including those chosen by teams taking part in the race

Mr Joscelyne, said: “This is the 22nd time of running. It’s not been the the best weather, but everything builds up to towards the final.

"So far, we think around £85,000 has been raised this year and over the next couple of weeks we hope this will increase to our goal of £100,000."

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