Shipping raised £113,000 towards Great Ormond Street Hospital’s pioneering research work on Tuesday 16 September in a Dragon Boat Race that united the industry.
24 teams of rowers from across the industry headed to London’s Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre, where they took to the water for a thrilling 250 metre race in colourful Chinese dragon boats, each of them flying the flag of the event sponsor, The Liberian Registry. The competition was tough, resulting in an unprecedented draw, with both RS Platou and Scorpio UK Ltd eventually emerging victorious after a nail-biting final (both teams pictured right). The rowers also had the chance to nominate their bosses to take part in a special kayak challenge, which saw AM Nomikos’ Mark Jackson claim first place. Everyone partied the night away to tunes by LoveStreet (lovestreet.me), a band led by maritime lawyer Julian Clark of Campbell Johnson Clark.
Swimming gold medallist, Duncan Goodhew MBE, was on hand to start the races, while Olympic rower Helen Glover MBE was on hand with her gold medal to present the OSCAR medals with help from 15-year-old Oscar Parry (pictured right).
The money raised will go towards the OSCAR (Ocean and Shipping Community Advancing Children’s Health and Research) Campaign, founded by Oscar’s father Phil Parry, Chairman of Spinnaker Global Shipping Recruitment. OSCAR unites the international shipping community to raise significant funds towards areas of urgently needed research at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Phil Parry, who organised the event with Great Ormond Street, said “It was fantastic to see people across the industry – from ship owners and ship brokers to insurance and law firms, P&I clubs and ship registries – come together to support Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. I’m thrilled we were able to raise an incredible £113,000 towards the hospital’s ground breaking research into childhood cancers and immune diseases. With this money in the bank, we’re pretty much halfway to our second target.
“Through the OSCAR Campaign, the shipping industry has a unique opportunity to save lives and to create a shared legacy. What we’re doing, all of us, is delivering tangible support to help advance pioneering medical treatment for children around the world.”
Jacqui Segal from Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity said: “We’re delighted that the OSCAR Dragon Boat Race was such a great success. The money raised will help make a real difference for children with cancer and immune diseases, funding vital research work at the hospital and we would like to thank Phil Parry and the shipping industry for their generous ongoing support.”
The following teams took part in the OSCAR Dragon Boat Race: 20 Essex Street, AET, AM Nomikos, Augustea Shipping Services Ltd, Campbell Johnston Clark, Charles Taylor PLC, Clarksons, Holman Fenwick Willan LLP, HSBC Shipping Services, ICAP Shipping, Ince & Co, International Registries, ITIC/Thomas Miller, JLT Specialty Ltd, Lloyd’s Register, Mavega Ltd, Mitsui/JMU, North of England P&I Association, Rigel Shipping Limited, RS Platou, Scorpio UK Ltd, Spinnaker Global Shipping Recruitment, The Shipowners Protection Ltd, Steamship Insurance Management Services Ltd, Talbot Underwriting Ltd and West of England Insurance Services
The following people took part in the kayak challenge: Ken Michie (Clarksons), Tim Evans (ITIC/Thomas Miller), Ben Dyer (Steamship Insurance Management Services Ltd), Phil Parry (Spinnaker Global), Paul Cunningham (Talbot Underwriting Ltd), Nick Lockyer (JLT Specialty Ltd), Georgios Bazos (International Registries) and Mark Jackson (AM Nomikos)
Find out more at gosh.org/oscar and take a look at the photos here.
