PhysioNet Takes on the Dragon Boat Challenge
Earlier this year PhysioNet founder Peter Thompson MBE was approached by York Rotary Club with the idea of entering a boat in the Dragon Boat Challenge. It was a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness and funds for PhysioNet while enjoying a memorable day on the River Ouse.
Securing the boat was the easy part – finding a Team Captain and enough paddlers was another matter! Fortunately, relatively new volunteer Steve Nolan enthusiastically stepped forward. Steve brought a wealth of sporting experience, having worked as a consultant and coach with both English and British Athletics, while completing more than 30 marathons across some of the world’s toughest environments, including the Sahara, Atacama and Gobi deserts, and even Antarctica.
As race day approached, the PhysioNet family rallied round. Following an inspiring presentation by Lynne Mosher and Hannah Meeson about the Kumi Community Foundation (KCF) at our Annual Review, they volunteered to paddle and recruited a fantastic team of KCF supporters. Steve completed the crew with the help of family, friends in Knaresborough.
KCF has worked alongside PhysioNet for many years, delivering equipment and training in Uganda. Founded by Elspeth Robinson MBE, the charity has transformed the lives of thousands of people living with disabilities. We are enormously grateful to Lynne, Hannah, Dave, Sheena, Fiona, Penny, Sharon. Iain, Shawn and Harry who made up KCF team from Darlington and were instrumental in making the day such a success.
Race day on 12 July could hardly have been better, glorious sunshine, blue skies and large crowds lining the banks of the river. Although many of our crew had never met before that morning, they quickly gelled into a superb team. We may not have won any of our three heats but we paddled brilliantly together, finished comfortably clear of the bottom of the leaderboard, proudly flew what many considered the best team flag and enjoyed one of the best post-race barbecues of the day!
The event was about far more than racing as it introduced hundreds of people to the work of PhysioNet and raised valuable funds. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we are on course to cover costs of another consignment to Ukraine.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Team Captain Steve Nolan, every member of Team PhysioNet, the wonderful crew from the Kumi Community Foundation, York Rotary for organising this fantastic event, and everyone who sponsored, donated, cheered us on or raised funds.
As Lynne Mosher summed up the day: “It was exhilarating to be in the boat, everyone giving their all and pushing forward together.” That spirit of teamwork perfectly reflects what PhysioNet is all about.
We’ll definitely be back for next year’s Dragon Boat Challenge!