A team of Dragon Boat racers from WYG were kitted out as Baywatch lifeguards at a charity event in Leeds and raised over £2,300.

The 17-strong team, made up of seven men and ten women, rowed hard down the 200 meter course as they battled to win their three heats.  With a personal best of one minute and two seconds WYG sailed in a respectable eighth out of the eleven teams.

Organisers, Leeds Community Foundation, are aiming for this year’s Dragon Boat Race to raise £100,000 to support small community groups in the city.

Glyn Utting, Team Captain for WYG said: “It was a fantastic day and a worthy cause we were raising money for.  As a global business with Leeds roots we are always looking at how we can support local charities.

“We did brilliantly throughout our heats and improved on our times each race.  The team battled hard and the competitive spirit was there for all to see, everyone gave their all and we were neck and neck throughout the heats.

“Considering the teams we were up against were mostly made up of really big guys I think we did well to have come eighth.”

It was the fourth year for the Dragon Boat event which, for the first time, joined forces with the fourth annual Leeds Waterfront Festival with entertainment and events from Granary Wharf to Thwaite Mills.

Foundation spokeswoman Amanda Bennett said: “The Dragon Boat race has been a fantastic success. We are delighted with the support from local companies in tough economic times.”

She added: “The racing brings out the competitive spirit. They arrive saying they are just here for a laugh, but after the first race they turn in to demon racers.”

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