Teams from across the region have raised more than £52,500 for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital at the 20th Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival.
Forty-three teams raced along a 200-metre stretch of the River Cam at Fen Ditton, surpassing the festival’s £50,000 fundraising target with donations still coming in. Money raised through Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) will support the development of the new specialist cancer hospital on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
The Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital project team joined organisations from across the region on the water, helping to raise funds for the hospital they are working to deliver.
Dr Hugo Ford, Clinical Lead for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and Director of Cancer Services at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our sincere thanks go to everyone who supported this fantastic event for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital. The funds raised will help create a groundbreaking new hospital that will transform cancer care by enabling earlier diagnosis, more precise treatments and better outcomes for patients.”
Our sincere thanks go to everyone who supported this fantastic event for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital. The funds raised will help create a groundbreaking new hospital that will transform cancer care by enabling earlier diagnosis, more precise treatments and better outcomes for patients.
Dr Hugo Ford, Clinical Lead for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and Director of Cancer Services at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Buffaload Logistics was named Charity Champion after raising more than £10,500 — the highest amount raised by a team in the festival’s history. Its total included a £5,000 gift from client Gray & Adams, the event’s largest-ever single donation to a team.
Headline sponsor Illumina returned for a third year and entered three teams. Bankside activities included lion dances from the Cambridge Chinese community, family-friendly science activities, games, face painting and a raffle.
Em Robson, Corporate Account Lead at ACT, said: “Every team, supporter, volunteer, staff, friend, and family member who donated the gift of time, to be with us on the day, as well as dug deep to raise the most we have ever raised in the history of ACT participating in the Dragon Boat Festival has made an impact. This really does go to show that together we will change the story of cancer! When the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is built, every one of our supporters can say, 'I was part of this historic moment'.”
Every team, supporter, volunteer, staff, friend, and family member who donated the gift of time, to be with us on the day, as well as dug deep to raise the most we have ever raised in the history of ACT participating in the Dragon Boat Festival has made an impact. This really does go to show that together we will change the story of cancer! When the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is built, every one of our supporters can say, 'I was part of this historic moment'
Em Robson, Corporate Account Lead, Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust
Flok Health Ltd was crowned Festival Champion with a winning time of 58.95 seconds. The Never Never Land team from the Rosie Hospital won Best Dressed, while TWI Ltd’s Admiral Hughes team won the mixed competition.
Supporting a new way to tackle cancer
Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will bring together NHS cancer services and cutting-edge research under one roof. Designed in partnership with patients, families and staff, it will support earlier diagnosis, more personalised treatment and better outcomes for patients across the East of England.
The hospital will unite clinical expertise from Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with research from the University of Cambridge and partner organisations, helping discoveries move more quickly into patient care.
Donations can still be made to support the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital team’s fundraising total via their fundraising page (opens in a new tab).
Plans for the 2027 festival are under way, with team entries expected to open in December.
Philanthropy can play a powerful part to dramatically improve the lives of people with cancer for generations to come, far beyond Cambridge. The fundraising campaign for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is a joint venture between Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and the University of Cambridge. Find out how you can support and donate to the campaign and change the story of cancer.