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On Sunday the 19th July 2015, the annual Kingston Rotary Club Dragon Boat race took place just south of Kingston Bridge.
The event saw 56 teams battle it out in a bid to make the final race of the day through a series of heats, whilst shoreside market stalls, sideshows, bouncy castles and rides for the kids ensured that families where kept entertained throughout the day of racing.
Our Tax Director Ben Lee took part, along with 15 other fellow coaches and dads from London Welsh Amateurs Rugby Club, not to mention our 8 year old cox Mia, who was vital to the teams synchronisation as the day went on.
The day raises in excess of £70,000 for various charities, with teams this year encouraged to support Born Too Soon (who fielded 6 of their own teams on the day!). Born Too Soon is a registered charity established in 1985 by parents and staff, to offer support to parents who had a baby or babies being cared for on the Neonatal Unit at Kingston Hospital NHS Trust. Born Too Soon rasies funds to purchase specialist equipment for these babies on the Neonatal Unit.
There was a great turnout from local firms and charities such as Russell-Cooke (who arguably had the best spread of sandwiches and sausage rolls out of all contestants), Rochills Estate Agents, Old Wimbledonians and Kingston Mencap.
The London Welsh Dragons managed to win all 3 heats, and secured a time that took them into the final competition, where the fastest 8 boats from all 56 competitors went head to head for the win. Unable to compete with the power (and perhaps youth) of fellow competitors, the team finished in 7th place, happy with their performance of the day, and having raised over £1,200 for their efforts.
Amanda graduated from Brunel University, with a joint honours degree, achieving a BSC and BA degree in Leisure Management and Television and film studies. Amanda started her career in a customer service role before joining the hotel group Le Meridien as an Events coordinator, she was in the hotel industry for seven years and during her time won an award from a major international airline for her outstanding attitude and dedication to customer service, which she achieved while working for the Rezidor hotel group in the position of Airline Crew Manager. Amanda has over 20 years experience in customer relations and event management.