In a powerful display of sportsmanship that transcends borders, a dragon boat club from Worcestershire is extending a lifeline to fellow paddlers in Ukraine. The Pershore Phoenix Dragon Boat Club is donating a racing vessel to the Odesa Dragons, whose clubhouse was tragically destroyed by a drone strike in 2023.
This isn't just any boat; it's a vessel steeped in history for the Pershore club. Club Chair Linda Harris shared that this boat carried them to victory in the UK's Standard League in 2012 and even participated in the Queen's Jubilee pageant that same year. "It's got quite a lot of special memories," Harris said, noting the team was happy to give the well-loved boat a new purpose and journey.
The connection between the clubs runs deeper than this act of generosity. Harris has raced against "amazing" Ukrainian teams in international competitions, including the European Championships. More recently, she competed in a veterans event in 2024 against athletes who had just come from the frontlines, underscoring the profound importance of sport and community during times of crisis.
To fund the complex and costly 1,739-mile journey to deliver the boat, the 50 members of Pershore Phoenix have launched a unique fundraising challenge. They are collectively running, walking, paddling, cycling, and swimming the equivalent distance from their home to Odesa. As of a recent Wednesday evening, they were halfway to their mileage target, aiming to raise about £1,000 towards the total £5,000 transport cost, bolstered by a significant private donation.
The response from the Odesa Dragons has been one of profound gratitude and shock. "They can't believe that people they've never met before are willing to go to such lengths to make sure that they can get back on the water," Harris added. With an Irish haulage firm lined up for the final leg of the delivery, this story is a moving testament to the unbreakable spirit of the athletic community, proving that the drive to compete and connect can overcome even the most daunting obstacles.