Force paddlers raise $240,000 in attempt to set world record
Twenty-two Hong Kong Police Dragon Boat Club (HKPDBC) members paddled non-stop for 110 km in 24 hours in the New Territories last month in a bid to set a world record and raise funds in aid of school children in Inner Mongolia.
The HKPDBC team's months of toil and training have been rewarded with generous donations by colleagues and friends amounting to $240,000, which will be used to build schools in Inner Mongolia.
Strong arms of the law
After Senior Assistant Commissioner Mike Dowie had performed the traditional dragon eye-dotting ceremony in the capacity of Chairman of Police Sports Council at mid-day on May 29, the record-setting team immediately started giving of their best in rowing up and down a five-km course between the Shing Mun River and Wu Kai Sha on a total of 22 trips until mid-day of the following day. The task was completed amid cheers and greetings by a large gathering of colleagues, including Commissioner Lee Ming-kwai, relatives and friends waiting on shore.
Mr Lee also joined team members in celebrating their feat with champagne, and presented souvenirs to participating teams of a 10-km Inter-Major Formation Race held simultaneously with the world record attempt.
A total of nine teams from seven formations took part in the major formation race, with the Special Duties Unit from Operations Wing clinching the championship by finishing the race in 49'34", beating Marine Region by one minute.
On the charity side, Crime Wing won the "Most Money Raised" Award by donating $50,030.
The HKPDBC is grateful to all those who have made this landmark event so successful, and hopes to organise a similar event next year.
(More photos on Photo Features)
Guinness World Records officials have accepted HKPDBC's request to have the feat recognised as a world record, and HKPDBC will submit relevant documents for verification.