It's about the only Sunday I leap out of bed and look forward to the day ahead. The York Dragon Boat Challenge is one of my favourite events. You have to understand that I no longer get in the boat, having done the honours in the first year. Oh no - wisdom has got the better of me and I spend the day helping out with the commentary. Over the four years of the race, thousands of people have taken part, raising over a quarter of a million pounds for local charities. It's organised by York Rotary - once the event is over they're busy planning the next year's. So here we all were, once again on a Sunday in July gathered by the River Ouse in York. A group passed me with crepe grass skirts... And who were the men in the white coats? The builders had returned with their white hard hats and yellow safety jackets, which meant we could spot them when they capsized - which they did during their first race!
 | | Elly gets rewarded for her involvement |
Who were the men and women in the kilts? Why was that men dressed as a nurse? And where did the Flamborough Fairies get those tights from? Black patterned and very fancy. Spare a thought for the West Leeds Warriors, a group of ex-rugby players who capsized before setting off for the start. A capsize is always a favourite with the thousands of people gathered on the river banks. Ouse the Daddy was the first team to topple over followed by their colleagues from another part of their organisation, those burly builders with Spongebob Squarepants beating the drum (thanks Spongebob for soaking me!). As if that wasn't enough a third team from the same group of companies - the Hawaii Silo - capsized too, though they won the best dressed team award (it was the crepe Hawaiian skirts which did it!). A special mention has to go to Kabinaeros who managed to stay upright and not follow their colleagues into the Ouse. | "It's become so popular that there's now a waiting list to take part from one year to the next. " | |
The day was great fun. Old friends meeting up with one another, different army groups renewing their internal rivalry, solicitors wondering if they could beat their business competitiors and the first timers, the ones who had no idea what to expect. The event was supported by businesses and groups from across Yorkshire. It has become so popular that there's now a waiting list to take part from one year to the next. And of course thousands raised for local charities. The three main beneficiaries this year will be Our Celebration, Mind and York Blind and Partially Sighted Society. Teams can then choose their own charity to support. Many people had personal stories and tragedies which inspired them to support a particular charity. The AFC Lions from the Army Apprentice College in Harrogate wanted me to pass messages onto their older colleagues from the Army Defence School of Transport - the rivalry between these two teams was amazing. You'd be amazed what titbits I get to find out - but they're only for the riverside. My lips are sealed. The eventual winners were the DST Deserters, much to the frustration of their younger colleagues at AFC Lions. Personally I felt sorry for the Harrison Dragon Slayers who made it to their fourth final - I just wonder if Simon's lack of sleep due to flying back from the England v Portugal game had anything to do with their loss. It was a great day. I feel very privileged to have been part of it. If there's another one next year, get yourself there, it's a great day's entertainment which raises thousands for local charities… Elly Fiorentini | 
