Europe’s Largest Charity Dragon Boat Event set to take place this summer

Al Noor Foundation, organisers of the annual boat race have confirmed that over 60 teams are set to compete in this year’s event.

Al Noor Foundation today announced the launch of its annual dragon boat race for 2020. We spoke to Akhter Raouf, CEO from Al Noor Foundation to get the latest on the event’s details.

How many teams will take part this year?

This year, it’s expected that we will have 60 teams taking part. This is a 25% increase from last year. This is yet again evidence of the connection, fun and integrity that the boat race has built over the last two years.

Last year, over £200,000 was raised, how much do you expect teams to raise this year?

It’s always hard to guess the exact amount as teams have different fundraising wishes. However, we are hoping that we will cross the £500,000 mark this year.

What’s new for this year’s Boat Race?

This year, we’ve selected LaunchGood as our official fundraising partner for the event. Together, we’ve agreed on some new features to the event.

1. Live Leaderboard

First of all, there will be an all-inclusive LIVE leaderboard. From the 20th April all the way to the event day (2oth June 2020), LaunchGood will have a LIVE leaderboard which will bring all 60 teams under one roof. It will really be a show of strength highlighting the good nature and goodwill of all those taking part. The leaderboard will be public and live with categories for top fundraisers and top teams.

2. Ramadan Challenge

This year, as part of LaunchGood’s Ramadan Challenge, each boat team will be automatically entered into the Ramadan Challenge, this gives each team the chance to win up to £10,000 throughout Ramadan for their cause.

3. Launch Event

Finally, to celebrate our third year, we’ve decided to host a physical launch event on the 14th of March 2020. This will bring together boat team leaders, charities, press and members of the community to launch our third annual event and celebrate our collective success over the last two years.

Who are this year’s boat teams?

The list of teams taking part this year are as follows:

1. Team Green: Muslim Aid
2. Olive Tree Men: Olive tree primary school
3. Olive Tree Women: Olive tree primary school
4. Salam Girls: Salam Charity
5. Salam Boys: Salam Charity
6. Al Noor PTFA: Al Noor
7. NUI: PS Women: Noor Ul Islam Primary School
8. Team R2R: Revert2Reality
9. Team Sadiq: Al Noor
10. Pilgrim Women: Pilgrim
11. Pilgrim Men: Pilgrim
12. Eden Care Men: Eden Care
13. Eden Care Women: Eden Care
14. Al Isharah Men: Al Isharah
15. HHUGS Men: HHUGS
16. HHUGS Women: HHUGS
17. BSL Quran Project: Al Isharah
18. Olive Tree Primary: Olive tree primary school
19. Team Orange Female: Penny Appeal
20. Team Orange Male: Penny Appeal
21. Muntada Sisters: Muntada Aid
22. Al-Ansar: Al-Ansar Islamic Education
23. HOPE: HOPE for the needy
24. Read Dragons: Read Academy School
25. South Woodford Mosque: South Woodford Mosque
26. Al Isharah Ladies: Al Isharah
27. Al Isharah: Al Isharah
28. Solace Mens: Solace UK
29. Solace Womens: Solace UK
30. Yaseen Youth Tours: Yaseen Youth Development
31. Eping Scouts: TBC
32. 7th Newham Scouts: TBC
33. Team Orange: Penny Appeal
34. Team Orange: Penny Appeal
35. HAUK: Team 2Human Aid
36. 7th Goodmayes Scouts:
37. Jaarama Foundation
38. Human Appeal Men: Human Appeal
39. Spot Project: Spot Project
40. NUI: PS Men: Noor Ul Islam Primary School
41. 313 Dragon Boat
42. TeamR2R: MSA Dragons
43. MSA
44. 7th Goodmayes Scouts
45. Jaarama Foundation
46. Rashidun Women: Rashidun
47. BHDI Men: BHDI
48. BHDI Women: BHDI
49. Human Appeal Men: Human Appeal
50. Charity Right: Charity Right
51. TEAM MC: Muslim Charity
52. Masjid Tawhid: Leyton Masjid Tawhid
53. Helping Humanity: Helping Humanity
54. Muntada Brothers: Muntada Aid
55. HRF Boys: Human Relief Foundation
56. HRF Boys: Human Relief Foundation
57. Discover Islam: Discover Islam
58. GReaT: Global Relief Trust
59. Human Appeal Men: Human Appeal
60. An-Nur: Human Aid
61. Cycle Sisters: Al-Noor

(Boat Team names may vary before the race date)

How can people take part?

To take part, individuals need to join a boat team. Luckily there are over 50 teams currently recruiting for rowers and participants so you should have no problem finding a team. Reach out to LaunchGood or the above charities as soon as possible to sign up to a team.

Official Press Release

The official press release from Al Noor can be read below.