More than a thousand people flocked to Conningbrook Lakes to watch the inaugural Ashford Rotary Club Dragon Boat race, sponsored by Latimer and Westerhill Homes, on Saturday, May 25th.

Twelve teams, including Kent Police, Leukaemia UK, Kent Foster Care Association, East Kent NHS Trust ITU, Latimer & Westerhill Homes and local businesses, participated in the race, with the winning team representing HRGO Recruitment in Ashford.

MP for Ashford, Damian Green, formally opened the event, which also featured craft stalls, side shows, hot-food and ice creams. 

Over £16,000 was raised for various good causes, including the Heart of Kent Hospice, Kent Foster Carer Association and the William Harvey Hospital.

Club President Peter Gammon said:  “The day was a huge success, a lot of people turned up and lots of families were there and all seemed to be enjoying themselves.  The dragon boat racing was a thrill to watch and we hope to repeat it again next year.”

Sam Truman, Private Sales Manager for Latimer Homes said:  “We are delighted not only to have sponsored this great family event, but also to have taken part.  It was an opportunity for families, friends and work colleagues to come together to have some fun and help the Rotary Club raise much needed funds for charity at the same time.  It’s been a great day and we look forward to taking part again next year!”

Latimer and Westerhill Homes are developing the prestigious waterside village of 300 private homes at Conningbrook Lakes, which is enabling the regeneration of the country park and its leisure facilities.  A combination of sailing, canoeing, kayaking, walking, cycling and family friendly activities are available on the lakes*, with the additional investment also ensuring the preservation and encouragement of the wildlife around the park.

The sponsorship of the Rotary Club Dragon Boat Challenge is the latest community initiative from Latimer and Westerhill Homes and follows on from its public arts strategy, engaging with local schools and community groups, as well as its programme of wildlife walks at Conningbrook Lakes and Country Park in partnership with the Kent Wildlife Trust.

Through the funds raised by the teams, donations and sales of goods, the amount raised for various local charities and good causes was in excess of £19,000.