Last Sunday, we took part in the 2023 Dragon Boat Race in Roundhay Park! The event, organized by the Martin House Children Hospice themselves, was done to help raise money for the incredible work they do to help countless families. A worthy cause to fight for as we paddled to a very respectable fourth place out of forty different teams also competing!

The day was packed to the brim with team spirit, and our enthusiastic group of rowers was certainly ready to push themselves in the name of fundraising (and having some fun of course). Our team also took part in the Tug of War event, coming in second place! It certainly can’t be said that the Howard group aren’t fighters!

We set a fundraising target of £1500, and we want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who was generous enough to donate. In total, we smashed our goal - beating it by over £500! Fundraising, sustainability and CSR are areas we have always prided ourselves on, and we stand by the belief that they are vital to what we do as we continue to prioritize giving back to those around us.

Martin Houses’ work is crucial in supporting children and young people that suffer from life-limiting conditions, in addition to helping their families through the entire ordeal. They provide the necessary care that allows everyone involved to live as well and fully as possible, offer the best possible end of life treatment available, and aid bereaved families through unimaginable circumstances. All of this showcases just how important the work of Martin House is to communities across the country, and emphasizes why charitable donations are so necessary to keep their services operating. It also is exactly why we wanted to stand behind them for this charity fundraiser and do our part.

By going out of our way to raise funds like this, we not only get to experience the excitement of pushing ourselves to the limit, but do so knowing that it’s all in service of such a powerful cause. This satisfaction also extends to everyone who supports and considers donating to our fundraiser, helping us change lives for the better - even where all hope for some may seem lost.

Depending on when you’re reading this, there may still be time to donate towards our fundraiser! To check, visit our JustGiving page here.

And to learn more about the incredible work Martin House does, visit their website here.