RECORDS have been broken by this year’s Bradford Dragonboat Festival, as a new highest ever total raised for charity was set by this year’s teams.

The total, of £55,022.34, is the most the festival has ever raised, with £18,608.41 going towards the last Lord Mayor’s Appeal, and £36,413.93 to other charities.

The main event of the festival at Roberts Park in June, the Lord Mayor’s Championship, saw teams raise money for charities chosen by the previous Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Abid Hussain, which were the Down Syndrome Training and Support Service and the Wishing Well Appeal.

On the Sunday was the Multi-Charity Championship, where teams could raise money for their own chosen charity.

The team which raised the most money was Paddles of Fury, who raised a whopping £3,147.45 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Saltaire-based energy firm Switch2 Energy, who made up the Paddles of Fury team, have won a team meal at Napoleon’s Restaurant & Casino as a reward for their fundraising efforts.

Tom Sadeghi, team captain of Paddles of Fury and sales and marketing assistant at Switch2, said: “It was a very positive first experience.

“There was great team camaraderie which brought different walks of people together from both our company and the local community.

“Our total figure has made the whole company so proud that people were able to raise so much and for such a good cause, especially as it is close to the heart of one of our rowers, who lost a family member to motor neurone disease.

“A great warmth has been taken from peoples generosity and kindness. Throughout the year we have strived to raise as much as possible by doing events within the company.

“Everyone is happy for a chance for a nice meal out to celebrate our success and people seem very keen to compete next year, especially our director who is pushing to try get two teams entered.

“It looks like we’re aiming for first place next year.”

Razwana Mahmood, from the Dragonboat Festival organising committee, said: “To date as a team for all the charities, you have raised a staggering £55,022, this is a record amount.

“The total money raised above will still grow a little further as there is still more to come but what a fabulous amount.

“Many thanks for everything you have all done - participants and sponsors - and the fantastic image you have given everyone about Bradford.”

Thousands of people flocked to Roberts Park in Saltaire in June for the three day festival, with hundreds more competing across the three days.