Paddles at the ready! Businesses invited to make waves in WaterAid’s annual Dragon Boat Race in Canary Wharf
Businesses are invited to get paddles at the ready and prepare to make waves for the annual Dragon Boat Race on Thursday 10 July in support of international charity WaterAid.
With a sea of corporate spirit, the race will be returning to the South Dock at Canary Wharf for its fourth consecutive year. Teams of 11 to 17 people have the chance to take to the water and compete to be crowned champions of the fiery rowing extravaganza, inspired by the 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition.
Rowing for results on and off the water, the event, in collaboration with the Canary Wharf Group, raises funds to support WaterAid’s goal to change the world through clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
Across the world, 703 million people – almost 1 in 10 – live without clean water close to home. Clean water is the foundation for good health and a life full of opportunity.
Last year the fiery race between 25 teams raised an incredible £57,000 and the charity aims to make bigger waves this summer by smashing these figures.
Corinne Stone, Senior Community and Events Fundraising Officer at WaterAid, said:
“Our Dragon Boat Race is more than just a thrilling day on the water – it’s an incredible show of teamwork, energy and community spirit, all in support of WaterAid’s work alongside communities to get clean water to those living without. Every splash, cheer, and paddle stroke help us move closer to a world where everyone, everywhere has this essential resource.”
Fabienne Gress, Senior Manager, Social Value & Strategic Partnerships – Responsible Business at Hogan Lovells, who are returning to compete in this year's race for a third time, said:
“Hundreds of colleagues from the firm have engaged in our global non-profit partnership with WaterAid to support the development of climate resilient and community led water and sanitation services across the Cuamba district of Mozambique.
“Alongside skilled volunteering and pro bono support, a key element of our partnership is fundraising and for the past two years one of the highlights for UK colleagues is competing in WaterAid’s action-packed Dragon Boat Race. Not only are we able to support a brilliant cause, but it’s a wonderful team building day and opportunity for colleagues to take showcase their competitive spirit on the water. Despite missing out on a podium position, it was so popular last year that we’re thrilled to have three teams competing in the 2025 race.”
By joining the race for a thrilling, fun packed day on the water, teams can paddle with purpose, raising money and helping WaterAid work with more communities to ensure people have a reliable supply of clean water – and with it, the opportunity to thrive.
Teams have a £1,500 fundraising target, and the deadline to apply is Friday 20 June - but don't wait to sign up, as registration will close once the event is full.
ENDS
For media queries, please contact Lucy Cowie, Senior Media Officer [email protected] or Laura Crowley, Senior PR Manager at WaterAid, [email protected]
Or call WaterAid’s press line on 020 7793 4537, or email [email protected].
Notes to editors
About WaterAid
WaterAid is an international non-profit with one goal: to change the world through water. Along with decent toilets and good hygiene, a reliable supply of clean water is essential for health, dignity and a life full of opportunity. We work alongside communities in 22 countries, setting up entire systems that deliver clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene for millions of people. Since 1981, WaterAid UK and its Country Programmes have reached 28.9 million people with clean water, 29.2 million people with decent toilets and 28.7 million people with good hygiene.
For more information, visit our website wateraid.org/uk; follow us on BlueSky or find us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.
- 703 million people in the world – almost one in ten – don’t have clean water close to home.
- 2.2 billion people in the world – more than one in four – don’t have safe water.
- Almost 2 billion people in the world – one in four – lack soap and/or water to wash their hands at home, if they have a place at all.
- 1.5 billion people in the world – almost one in five – don’t have a decent toilet of their own.
- Almost 400,000 children under five die every year due to diseases caused by unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene. That's more than 1000 children a day
- Investing in safely managed water, sanitation and hygiene services provides up to 21 times more value than it costs.3
- Worldwide, women and girls spend 200 million hours every day collecting water
1: WHO/UNICEF (2023), Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2022: special focus on gender (accessed 11 Jul 2023)
2: WHO (2023), Burden of disease attributable to unsafe drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene: 2019 update (accessed 24 Jul 2023)
3: WaterAid (2021). Mission-critical: Invest in water, sanitation and hygiene for a healthy and green economic recovery. (accessed 1 Nov 2023).
4: UNICEF (2016). Collecting water is often a colossal waste of time for women and girls. (accessed 09 Jan 2024)
