Charities have less than a month left in which to register teams for the KM Dragon Boat Race.

The Dragon Boat Race is one of the premier dates in Kent’s fundraising calendar, with £750,000 generated for charities since the first event in 2009

It takes place at Mote Park in Maidstone on Sunday, September 22.

Teams can comprise up to 17 members, with 11 rowers and one person beating a drum to dictate the pace of the paddles in each race. They will take part in a minimum of three races over a 250-metre course on the park’s lake, with the fastest teams competing in the finals at the end of the day.

It costs £475 to book a boat online, and it is suggested that each crew member raises a minimum of £150, which would translate to £2,550 in total.

All sponsorship money will go to the teams’ nominated charities, with the booking fees being used to help fund the KM Charity Team’s literacy and green-travel work with schools.

The Dragon Boat Race is supported by Countrystyle Recycling.

Event coordinator Dominic Comins said: “Time is fast running out to register crews for this year’s Dragon Boat Race, and I would urge charities and fundraiser to book their boats as soon as possible.

“Bookending the summer, the Dragon Boat Race is one of the last opportunities of the year for charities to motivate fundraisers and supporters to take on a physical challenge before people start pulling down the hatches for the autumn and winter.

“So it really is an opportunity not to be missed.

“It’s also a really exciting, all-day experience, with teams competing in a minimum of three races in a beautiful location.

“So the supporters and fundraisers taking part are sure to be rewarded with a fun day out, besides knowing that their involvement will help provide much-needed income for their favourite good causes.”

Find out more and book a boat here, and watch a video about last year’s Dragon Boat Race here: