In The Dragon’s Boat… but it’s the taking part that counts!

They describe themselves as the ‘motley crew’, but Irwell Valley’s 18 crew members are determined to row for their life in aid of this year’s Dragon Boat Festival Charity Race at Salford Quays on Sunday June 20.

By their own admission, preparation for the race has been somewhat minimal. As one team member – Mike Redford – says ‘Not many people have a 40ft dragon boat stored in their back garden!’

But spirits are high and Assistant Chief Executive of Irwell Valley Housing, Neil Baumber and crew team drummer, says everyone is in a state of readiness to raise money for their chosen charity ‘Help For Heroes’ - with already £50 donation per crew member in the coffers.

The team is keeping very close to their chests just how they’re going to stay the three timed races of around 250metres – and one crew member has confessed to being just a tad nervous about getting wet!

Each one of the crew is a novice, but they’re confident their raw unleashed potential will see off the rivals. And if they do end up in the water – it’s the taking part and the hundreds of pounds they’ve raised for charity that really counts.

Earlier this week, Irwell Valley’s Golden Foundation Fund collected the 2010 Charity Award for grant making at a gala dinner hosted by Jo Brand at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.

The Golden Foundation created by Irwell Valley and the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester was launched in September 2009 and has already distributed thousands of pounds to individuals and community groups throughout the area to fund a wide range of projects from education bursaries to inter-generational and inter-cultural activities.

The award was presented by BBC Radio 4 Broadcaster Eddie Mair.