More than $21,000 in pledge funds was raised for the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation by the teams participating in the 4th Annual Cape Breton Dragon Boat Festival which took place this past weekend, July 22 and 23. Twenty-five teams participated in this two-day event, which unofficially started on Thursday night at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre. There was an award given to each of the top teams in each of the four divisions.
In the Breast Cancer Survivor Division the Bosom Buddies from Halifax won with a time of 1:05:36 (1 minute, 5.36 seconds). The other winners included Eskasoni Warriors, Row for Joe, Plumbras and Bra- fitters (UA Local 682 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Welders) in their respective divisions Community, Corporate, and Construction Trades. The overall festival winners included the Eskasoni Warriors with a final race time of 59:95, fallowed by the Plumbras and Bra-Fitters at 1:00:06, and the Hammer Heads (Carpenters Local Union 1588) at 1:05:36.
Other prizes were also awarded to the Boularderie Mammo-Warriors for the team with the most spirit as well as for collecting the most pledges ($6,392). Lucy Ann Ingolsby from the Lightning MacQueens received the award for the individual raising the most funds again this year ($1,600). At last count, the total funds collected were $21,718.65.
The pledges were distributed among three funds including the Cancer Centre Expansion Project, Cancer Patient Fund, and Palliative Care Unit. Additional funds were also raised through the festival profits; the total amount will be distributed to the other beneficiaries (Cancer Centre Expansion Project, Cape Breastoners Dragon Boat Team, and Special Olympics) later this year.
