SLIDESHOW: Charity Dragon Boat Race

This year’s free, pirate-themed festival had several corporate teams racing in 40ft traditional Chinese Dragon Boats all in aid of the Crawley hospice which has just announced plans for a new site in Pease Pottage.

Events such as this help the local hospice to continue to care for terminally ill people, and their family and friends, across Mid Sussex and Surrey.

The day ran from 10am to 4pm, with a treasure trove of activities and entertainment, suitable for all ages.

It’s hoped the event will raise £50,000 for St Catherine’s, which relies on community donations for 70% of its funding. With at home care, Day Hospice services and In Patient treatment costing the hospice over £15,000 per day, these funds will have a big impact. £50,000 is enough to pay for two community nurses’ salaries for a whole year or a week of In Patient services.

Local businesses from the Gatwick Diamond (Just Retirement, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Specialist Holidays Group and Unum) sponsored this year’s Dragon Boat Festival.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.