Posted on 22nd July 2026

Sun-soaked crowds made a massive splash for charity after a two-day dragon boat racing event on the River Severn at Shrewsbury.

Our annual Dragon Boat Festival attracted thousands to the riverside as dozens of teams battled it out in 40ft dragon boats, racing between the town’s two boathouses.

From superheroes and Vikings to colourful crayons and other creative costumes, friendly rivalries saw racers pulling out all the stops both on and off the water, helping to create a fantastic festival atmosphere in the sunshine.

Fierce

The racing itself was fiercely contested, with close finishes throughout the weekend before the winners were announced.

The event has so far raised £108,000 for our care through team entries, sponsorship and donations, with teams continuing to fundraise even after the event.

Lizzy Ellis, our event organiser, said: “It was amazing to see so many teams coming together to support the hospice while having so much fun this weekend!

Special

“The atmosphere along the river was incredible, and the effort everyone put into their costumes, fundraising and racing made the event really special. Every pound raised makes a difference to families in our care and events like Dragons show just how generous and community-minded people across our region are.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to every team, volunteer, sponsor and supporter who helped make the weekend such a success.
“Every team that took to the water is helping us continue to provide compassionate care for local families when they need us most, and we simply couldn’t do it without their support.”

Looking ahead

And we are already looking ahead to the 2027 festival, with early-bird bookings being taken and many of this weekend’s teams securing their place for next year’s event.

Anyone who would like to find out more about taking part or supporting Severn Hospice can visit www.severnhospice.org.uk/events or contact the fundraising team on 01743 236565.