THE total raised by teams who competed in this year’s Bradford Dragonboat Festival looks set to pass the target of £80,000, organisers have said.

The current total raised stands at £78,409.80, a new record for the festival, with more money coming in everyday raised by competitors.

The Dragonboat Festival took place from June 21 to 23 at Roberts Park in Saltaire.

Of the total, almost £32,000 was raised by teams competing in the Lord Mayor’s Championship, and will go to the charities supported by former Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Zafar Ali’s Appeal, Bradford Nightstop and Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.

The remaining £46,500 was raised by teams who took part in the Multi-Charity Championship and will be distributed to their chosen causes.

The biggest single recipient looks set to be the Bradford Hospitals Charity - which was supported by 12 teams in total - and is set to receive £21,821.

Every year the team which raises the largest amount is given a special treat thanks to one of the event sponsors, and this year it was Forti’s Force, representing Shipley-based CarnaudMetalBox Engineering.

They raised £6,250, and have been rewarded with a meal for the whole team at Napoleons Restaurant and Casino.

It was the first year the team has taken part in the event, and raced in the name of their recently retired senior vice president Rick Forti.

The other team which raised the most money were Watson Buckle Chartered Accountants - £3,823 - Leeds Paediatric Neu-Row - £3,479 - and Safeguarding Heroes - £3,392.

Razwana Mahmood, who is part of the Dragonboat Festival organising committee, thanked all the teams involved for their support.

She said: “Thank you so much for all that you have done and for the difference you are making to so many lives.

“This was Forti’s Force’s first year participating and they have been absolutely outstanding, not only with the fundraising but they only just missed out on the championship too.

“I think Rick Forti would be very, very proud of them all, and I’m hoping very much they will continue to participate and raise the benchmark every year.

“I just want to also take a little time to acknowledge the heroic efforts of all the teams who really did work very, very hard on all elements of the festival either behind the scenes or at the front raising so much money.

“Whilst you raised it for charity, the teams behind the scenes had to raise the funds to actually deliver the festival and do all the planning as volunteers.

“Without them, and the wonderful sponsors who joined forces with us, it would not have happened. It is this fantastic community spirit of support and camaraderie that keeps a smile on my face when the going gets tough - because believe me - some days have been very, very tough.”

Ms Mahmood also revealed which charities the festival will be supporting next year, which have been chosen by current Lord Mayor Cllr Doreen Lee for her Lord Mayor’s Appeal - Child Bereavement UK and Pot of Gold.

Child Bereavement UK supports families to rebuild their lives when a baby or child is dying or has died, or if a child is facing bereavement, and Pot of Gold provides grants to smaller groups and projects across the Bradford district.