Posted on 23rd October 2026

Raising more than £11,000 for Severn Hospice, Team Marilyn Mon Row were crowned Overall Champions at Dragon Boat Festival 2026 after an incredible performance on and off the water.

For decades, Severn Hospice’s Dragon Boat Festival has seen teams from across Shropshire take to the River Severn in brightly decorated 40-foot dragon boats.

More than 50 crews compete each year in a bid to post the fastest times on the water, while also raising vital funds for our care.

Alongside the racing, crews spend months fundraising, with the Overall Champions title awarded to the crew that combines success both on and off the water. In 2026, for the second year running, the coveted title went to Team Marilyn Mon Row.

Made up of friends, family members and colleagues from across Shropshire, Team Marilyn Mon Row took part in the festival for the third year running.

While their fundraising efforts have grown each year, team members Charles and Alistair say it is the atmosphere and shared sense of purpose that keep them coming back.

“It’s a great day out and there’s a real community spirit,” said Alistair. “Everyone gets behind it and the atmosphere builds throughout the day.”

Charles agreed: “Because it’s a team effort, it’s incredibly rewarding. Even our friends who came along thinking they’ll just watch ended up wanting to get involved!”

The team had originally set themselves a fundraising target of £6,000, with the aim of beating their total from the year before. As donations continued to come in, their ambitions quickly grew.

Alistair said: “When we realised £10,000 was within reach, we knew we had to go for it.

“Once you start fundraising and get the momentum going, it motivates you to keep pushing. The more you do it, the more you want to do it.”

By the end of their campaign, Team Marilyn Mon Row had raised more than £11,000, making them the highest fundraisers in Dragons’ history.

Fresh from their success, the team also shared their advice for future competitors.

Charles said: “One thing that worked really well for us was asking all of our team members to pay an entry fee. It gave us a solid fundraising base from the start and meant we were already making progress towards our target before the event.

“And don’t be embarrassed about asking people to support you. It may feel awkward at first, but all you’re doing is asking people to give a few pounds towards something important.

“The worst thing someone can do is say no.”

The team also encouraged members to look beyond their immediate circle, reach out to local businesses and break large fundraising goals into smaller, more manageable targets.

For several members of Team Marilyn Mon Row, the motivation behind the fundraising efforts is personal.

“Some of our team have seen first-hand the care the hospice provides to family members,” said Charles. “When you’ve experienced that yourself, you understand the difference it makes.

“Being able to support that care means a lot to us. If you’ve seen what the hospice does, you naturally want to help.”

Team Marilyn Mon Row’s record-breaking year may be complete, but attention is already turning to Dragon Boat Festival 2027.

With spaces filling quicker than ever before, teams are being encouraged to secure their place and start planning their own fundraising challenge.

Find out more and register your interest: www.severnhospice.org.uk/events