Local companies raising money for charity

We have launched the Harlesden Charity Canoe Race, which aims to raise money to help charities that work in our community. This was the first race in what will be an annual event, interested in taking part next year? Then get in touch; email: canoeing@thesharks.org.uk.

Seven teams from 6 companies entered the inaugural race to be crowned the Great Harlesden Canoe Race Champions.

The local biscuit manufacturer McVities, who had previously won our test event. Two teams from the Construction company Murphy who are working locally on HS2 related projects. SCS Construction, who are also working on HS2. And three of our Partner organisations: The Old Oak Park Royal Development Corporation(OPDC), part of the Mayor of London’s Office and also a previous participant in our test event, The Young Brent Foundation, and Queens Park Rangers Football Club Community Trust.

The rules were quite simple, each team of 4 paddlers has to race the 500 metre course in heats, the winner of each heat goes through to the final and teh fastest other crews qualify to make a final of four.

Heat 1

Both Murphy teams were drawn together alongside Young Brent and the OPDC. In a heat which had much drama, with the main battle between Murphy crews and OPDC and we mean battle!

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The Winners of Heat one were Murphy 1 with a time of 4 minutes and 2 seconds, the battle between Murphy 2 and OPDC ended when Murphy Two had a mishap and lost a couple of paddlers to the water, letting OPDC take second place in a time of 5:20, with Young Brent coming third (9:15).

Heat 2

A race between McVities, QPR, and SCS, with very few controversies, but quite a bit of weaving along the canal, McVities sneaked first place from QPR, but 5 seconds, with times of 4:43 and 4:48 respectively. SCS took 5:27 to finish the course.

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The Final

Winners were Murphy 1, the team of Kyle, Marcus, Said, and Craig, romping home in a time of 3:59. As well as bragging rights, and the trophy, they also win two tickets each for a Queens park Rangers home match, donated by QPR FC.

Runners-up were OPDC, who shaved 54 seconds off of their heat time to record a time of 4:26, well done Rami, Enzo, Kate, and Diane.

Third place went to the McVities team of Paul, Gordon, Keith, and Sebastian, with a final time of 5:28. Wonder who ate all the halftime biscuits?

Fourth place were the QPR team of Saif, Amy, Heyler, and Errol with a time of 5:45, fading in the second half!

Money raised from this event is being split between:

The Brent Food Bank, a local charity helping people in time of crisis. We would also like to thank those who donated food on the day to support their work.

The Queens Park Rangers Community Trust, which works across our community providing opportunities and support.

The Canoe Foundation, which works to improve access to paddle sport across the Country.

If you would like to help us support these charities, it is not too late to give you can donate via our Just Giving page.

You can also join us and take part in the next race, which will take place in early September. Each team requires 4 people, we provide the kit and instruction. We will also be running a junior race in July 2025. For more information, please get in touch call/text 07951 770241 or email: Canoeing@thesharks.org.uk.

The Sharks would like to thank everybody who helped with this event. Pictures were by Grant Underwood – Instagram.com/MK1WWR.

Published Friday 11th October 2024