Splashing Time at Charity Watersports Challenge

Two Brighton-based charities joined forces for a fantastic fundraising day at Hove Lagoon, with Sussex businesses making a splash!

The Starr Trust and Rockinghorse children’s charity hosted the Starr Water Wars Challenge on Sunday September 1st which saw participants battle it out on the water in a bid to be crowned 2019 champions.

18 teams of four went head-to-head in a number of thrilling challenges, including giant paddle boarding, kayaking, tug-of-war, volleyball and the finale – a paddle boarding relay race!

Over £6000 was raised to support the important work of both these children’s charities. The Starr Trust supports young people aged 10-18 to fulfil their potential in Art, Sport and Education and Rockinghorse is the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton.

Hosted by BBC Radio Sussex presenter Guy Lloyd alongside DJ Immon, over 100 spectators enjoyed the September sunshine whilst cheering on their teams made up of local businesses. West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service were crowned the winners, with 2nd place going to Brighton City Electrical and Gardner & Scardifield coming in 3rd. The Hairy Dog Brewery beer tent was a welcome addition this year alongside the delicious bbq and Candyland Sweetshop.

Other businesses that participated were: IEP Financial, Seico Mortgages, Crunch Accounting, Healy’s, Brightview Lofts, Clearline, Enterprise, Fundraising Auctions, Hilton Brighton Metropole, Studio Gobo, Pryzm, and the Treatment Rooms.

Rosie Molloy, Fundraising Manager at The Starr Trust, said “We are so grateful to all the businesses that put in teams, especially Beales and Airsprung who were our headline sponsors for the fourth year running. Everyone had a brilliant time, and the gorgeous sunshine, delicious bbq courtesy of Steyning Butchers and Barfields Butchers with the marquee donated by ABC Structures all helped to make the day a huge success.”

Terrina Barnes, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Rockinghorse, said, “We are delighted with the support received at the 2019 Starr Water Wars. It was great to see so many teams take part in the event at Hove Lagoon and raise a fantastic amount of money for our two charities – thank you so much! On behalf of Rockinghorse, I’d like to give a special mention to Green People as shirt sponsors again this year, and to Darren Baker from DPI Photography who very kindly came along to take the official photos.”