The stars were out for Sunday’s triple record-breaking KM Dragon Boat Race, which pulled in a staggering £100,000 for good causes.

The biggest number of competitors to date – 43 teams – paddled to raise money for 25 charities including Abigail’s Footsteps, Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Royal British Legion, Hi Kent, the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust’s Pembroke House, Share A Star, Breast Cancer Kent, Prostate Cancer Support, SSAFA, Children’s Trust, Medway Youth Trust, Martha Trust, Age UK Thanet, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Demelza, Help for Heroes, Kent Search and Rescue, Clic Sargent, SNAAP and Joshua Network Trust.

Among the cheering crowds was actor Linda Robson of Birds of a Feather fame, who supported this paper’s charity of the year, The Stacey Mowle Appeal. Call the Midwife actress Kirsty J Curtis, from Dartford, who is also a patron of the charity, was part of the team.

MC Personnel, from Gravesend, also had a team competing, supporting Clic Sargent.

Rachael Burford, of England’s 2014 World Cup-winning women’s rugby team, gave moral support to the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust teams.

Race records were smashed, with team Blatch and Green storming to victory for the fourth year in a row. The team also achieved their fastest time ever of 48.81 seconds while raising funds for Cancer Research UK.

Second place went to Abigail’s Cousins with 53.02 seconds, Team Sedley came third with 53.66 seconds, and Kent Search and Rescue took fourth place with 55.57 seconds.

Robert Gurr, of supporters Kent Reliance, congratulated the teams and presented the trophies and medals. The annual event, staged at Mote Park, Maidstone, and organised by the KM Media Group’s charity department, saw teams of 11 battling to complete the 250-metre course in the fastest time with one crew member beating a drum to set the pace.

Spectators enjoyed a day of thrilling races, charity stalls, hot food and drink, and a tea cup ride for children. Organiser Dominic Comins thanked Kent Reliance, Mote Park Water Sports Centre and Countrystyle Recycling for backing the event. He said: “Without their generous support it would not be possible to stage major events such as these and be in a position to help so many wonderful charities.”

The KM Dragon Boat Race is a regular fixture of the summer, taking place every year on the first Sunday in July.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of the KM Charity Team, said: urged organisations to support next year’s to make it even bigger: “Sponsorship packages begin at just £500 and in return sponsors receive media coverage by the KM Group to publicise their generosity.” For the full list of race times, visit www.kmcharitychallenge.co.uk

Organisations interested in sponsoring the 2016 KM Dragon Boat Race should contact Mr Dolby on sdolby@thekmgroup.co.uk or call 0844 264 0291.