An ‘oar-some’ team from property specialist Kirkby Diamond made a real splash in Buckinghamshire when they took part in their first dragon boat race on their way to raising more than £3,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK.
The property consultancy entered two teams into the annual MK Dragon Boat Race staged at Willen Lake in Milton Keynes. Despite the atrocious weather, the company’s two boats – Usain Boat and Row Farah – managed to reach the semi-finals.
The Kirkby Diamond teams included 20 chartered surveyors and property managers who were fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK, a charity that supports people with muscle-wasting and weakening conditions.
Kirkby Diamond chose the charity in support of a colleague who is living with muscular dystrophy who was among those taking part on the day. Eamon Kennedy, senior partner, lives with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy.
The charity funds research into treatments for rare, life-limiting muscle-wasting conditions and supports more than 110,000 adults and children across the UK affected by these conditions.
Bryan Crow, facilities manager at Kirkby Diamond, said: “It really was a wonderful day despite the appalling weather. Everyone gave their all and to reach the semi-finals in our first event was a fantastic achievement.
“Both boats competed in three heats and Usain Boat missed out on a place in the final by a fraction of a second, despite being the only boat of the day to capsize. We literally made a mighty splash at our first dragon boat festival.
“Well done to all the teams that took part and to everyone who came out to support, and for all the donations which has taken us to a total of £3,190. The generosity of our wonderful clients, staff and friends and family of Kirkby Diamond has been incredible and we thank everyone who has donated to Muscular Dystrophy UK to support the amazing work they do.”
If you would still like to donate you can do so here
Kirkby Diamond previously hosted a pre-Christmas lunch in support of Muscular Dystrophy UK and raised £1,782. It has four offices – in Milton Keynes, Luton, Bedford, St Albans – and a total staff count of 54.