Join top retailers in historic Dragon Boat race to raise money for Retail Trust
With up to 35 boats tearing through the Leith Docks in Edinburgh on Saturday 23 June, Dragon Boats 2012 will be Scotland’s biggest ever event to raise funds for charities including Retail Trust, the only charity that looks after the needs of all three million people in retail.
Staff from event partner Barclays will be taking on supporters from Asda, Morrisons, Debenhams, Matalan, Harvey Nichols, Waitrose and a whole host of other retailers. Supporters of the 2012 race get to display their brand in front of the thousands of spectators who will be lining the docks.
Up to 800 intrepid supporters will be raising funds for the charities at this unrivalled fundraising event and Retail Trust is calling for people who can nominate a crew of 17 to take part. Each boat will be provided with an experienced helmsman, so no experience is necessary; just good will and the ability to raise a minimum of £100 per person. Sign up at dragonboat@retailtrust.org.uk before 1 June.
Paul O’Neill, Store Manager from Asda Newton Mearns said:
"Asda is delighted to participate in the Retail Trust's dragon boat challenge and support this event, as this is helping to raise money for such a worthy cause that is local to us. There is a real buzz around the store because of the race, so thanks for the opportunity to join in!"
If taking part doesn’t float your boat, come and cheer on the brave boaters from the docks from 11am. Sponsors Ocean Terminal have family activities planned throughout the day, followed by a free barbecue, beers and entertainment at 6.30pm to round off a spectacular day.
Notes to Editors:
Dragon Boats 2012
Date: Saturday 23rd June 2012
Venue: Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh
Price: Entry Fee per team is £120 (inc Vat) with individual/team sponsorship
Crew: 16 paddlers & one drummer with a professional helmsman supplied
Race Times: 1am – 4pm
All teams compete in a minimum of 3 races with the fastest 6 teams qualifying for the Grand Final. For more information on the race see www.leithdragonboats.com
Retail Trust (registered charity numbers 1090136 and SC039684) is the only charity that looks after the needs of all 3 million people working in retail and currently provides grants and services of approximately £1.5 million per annum to people who are working in or have worked in the retail industry or associated businesses.
The Retail Trust Helpline is a free and confidential service that provides vital support and a range of services including: free counselling, free legal advice, free debt advice, redundancy support through their ReWork programme, hardship grants, course funding, as well as retirement housing for retired retailers throughout the UK. The Retail Trust Helpline can be accessed online at www.retailtrust.org.uk/help, by calling 0808 801 0808, emailing helpline@retailtrust.org.uk or by texting the word ‘HELPLINE’ to 88010* with any request or query.
In the past year alone, requests coming through to the Retail Trust Helpline 0808 801 0808 for counselling have increased by 125%. Retail staff needing debt advice has increased by 50%. Requests for redundancy support are up 40%, and demand for critical incident support has grown by a massive 229%.
ReWork is a Retail Trust service for people who have been made redundant from retail. The programme (worth over £1,000) helps users identify a career path that suits their needs and can help find potential employers. ReWork offers access to a free Guide to Resolving Redundancy, free Personal Career Coaching and Resolving Redundancy Workshops.
The Retail Trust Employee Assistance Programme is the only EAP that is designed specifically for retailers by retailers and is run exclusively for retail and associated businesses. Retail Trust currently has over 120 EAP partners throughout the retail sector and associated businesses and currently looks after over 777,000 staff. www.retailtrust.org.uk/eap
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T: 020 8358 7258 / 07783 199050
jpaton@retailtrust.org.uk
