As the president of the Rotary Club of Chippenham Wiltshire Vale I would like to thank the Gazette & Herald for its support of our annual Dragon Boat Race held on the River Avon in Monkton Park.

As your article on Thursday reported, it was a splendid day out in the sunshine both for the teams taking part and for the good people of Chippenham; many of whom came along to support the teams and took the opportunity of a unique riverside spectacle to enjoy a picnic or to relax in the park. This is our seventh year of organising the event and more than £60,000 has been raised for local charities by the racing teams and the club.

The purpose of the Dragon Boat event is to provide an opportunity for team building, charity fundraising and a fun day out that is entertaining and keeps the town on the map.

Of course, for such an event to be successful we need help and I would like to thank our sponsors, Chippenham Borough Lands Charity, Chippenham Town Council, West of England Residential and particularly Batt Broadbent Solicitors LLP who entered a Dragon Boat team for their very generous support.

I would also like to thank the James Dyson Foundation, Tileflair, Hills, Edward and Alan Ltd, Borough Parade, Good Energy, 24/7 Staffing, Wessex Water, Bateaux London, Whitehall Garden Centre and River Island, all of whose help and support translates into real benefit for local charities and the town of Chippenham.

As you can imagine, our aim is for next year’s event to be bigger and better but at its heart there will still be the challenge of the Dragon Boat Race with its demands for good teamwork, short bursts of energy, a flair for fancy dress and a great sense of humour.

If any of your readers would like to take up the challenge we would be delighted to hear from them. They can contact us by e-mail at infodragonboatscwv@gmail.com or by telephone to the race organiser Mr Len Goodridge on (01380) 850565.

Thank you again for your great support.

Cliff Fiander, President, The Rotary Club of Chippenham Wiltshire Vale.