WET weather did not dampen the spirits of more than 300 dragon boat racers at the St David’s Hospice Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, 25 June.

The rain poured down on the charity event on Llyn Padarn in Llanberis, held to raise funds for the adult palliative care hospice.

Sixteen teams, each with 13 to 20 crew members, took to the waters in a 40ft dragon boat racing head-to-head to get the quickest times and lift the winner’s trophy.

Many entered into the spirit of the day and rowed in fancy dress, outfits included a team dressed as the animals on Noah’s ark, prom dresses and superheroes.

North Wales Chronicle: Hospice physio Amanda on the drums.Hospice physio Amanda on the drums.

This year’s winning team were Llandudno’s Bone and Payne Solicitors, closely followed by the Dan Dragon’s.

The Prom Ally Team, who came third, also won the prize for the ‘Best Dressed’ rowers with every member of the team dressed in prom dresses.

Hospice Event Co-ordinator Rhian Jacobs said: “Despite the torrential rain leaving myself, the Fundraising Team, and our amazing volunteers almost as wet as our brilliant participants, we had an amazing day at our first Dragon Boat Festival since 2019.

“We hope our supporters have lasting memories from the event and we are extremely grateful for their support and look forward to welcoming everyone back next year.

North Wales Chronicle: Volunteers Judy Hooker and Karen Dean.Volunteers Judy Hooker and Karen Dean.

“A very special thank you to Colin Wickens from Dragon Investments for sponsoring the event.

“The funds raised will be put to immediate use to support patients and their families at St David's Hospice.”

St David’s Hospice is a local charity, caring for local people, delivering specialist care to adult patients with life limiting illnesses or those in need of end of life care and their families.

This year it will cost more than £6million to run St David’s Hospice with just a small percentage of that figure coming from the Welsh Government the local health board.

The majority of this comes from community fundraising such as the Dragon Boat Festival.

For further information about St David’s Hospice, visit www.stdavidshospice.org.uk or call 01492 879058.

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