After being paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, the event returned in 2022 and has since raised a remarkable £105,000 for Claire House Children’s Hospice. This year’s race featured teams representing 22 different businesses, each of which raised a minimum of £850 to enter the competition.

Participants included: Anchor Group Services, Anstey Horne, Avision Young, Brabners, CBRE, Chapman Taylor, Claire House, Colliers, DSG, Enervate, Equans, Fisher German, Griffiths & Armour, If We Ran The Zoo, Krol Corlett, Peel Waters, Savills, Swim Liverpool, Urban Revolution, Vermont, Vital Energi and Walker Sime.

Dragon boat racing, a sport originating in ancient China, has become a global phenomenon, known for its emphasis on teamwork and camaraderie. Teams of 13 members raced 200 meters in ornately decorated boats with dragon heads and tails, culminating in a thrilling knockout stage. The ultimate winning team in 2024 was a joint team of Fisher German and If We Ran The Zoo.

The venue for the popular annual event is Princes Dock – the first neighbourhood of the Liverpool Waters regeneration project which is adjacent to the iconic Royal Liver Building and Pier Head. With stunning views of the River Mersey, it’s an established business and leisure destination with apartments, Grade A office space, cafes, bars, restaurants, and the Malmaison and Crowne Plaza hotels.

Liza Marco, Senior Asset Manager at Liverpool Waters, commented:

“We’re delighted to have hosted the Dragon Boat Race at Princes Dock once again. It’s fantastic to see such strong support for Claire House from the local business community. Thank you to everyone who took part, and congratulations on raising an incredible £35,000!

“With open water swimming, paddle board yoga, canoeing, and the arrival in the coming weeks of the UK’s first floating sauna, Princes Dock is becoming a real hub for healthy active experiences, and the dragon boat racing always adds a bit of competition and teamwork into the mix.”

Andrew Harper, Chief Executive of Anchor Group Services, added:

“We’re proud to be involved in this fantastic event and to have played a part in raising such an impressive amount for Claire House. It’s a day our team looks forward to every year, and we’re always amazed by the energy and commitment everyone brings to the races.”

Dan Halliday, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Claire House Children’s Hospice, also commented:

“It’s wonderful to return to Princes Dock once again for this event. The £105,000 raised over the last three years is a tremendous achievement and will make a real difference to the children and families we support. We’re so grateful to all the businesses involved, Peel Waters for organising, and Anchor Group Services for sponsoring the events. The Claire House team had a fantastic day, and we couldn’t have asked for better company.”

Claire House Children’s Hospice helps seriously and terminally ill children live life to the fullest. The hospice offers specialist nursing care, end-of-life support, and emotional care, helping families navigate the most challenging times. With sites in Wirral and West Derby, Liverpool, Claire House offers a wide range of services, from day-care and therapies to play sessions and counselling.