A record-breaking 950 participants took to the River Tyne on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September 2026 for Newcastle’s seventh annual Dragon Boat Race, with flexible workspace provider, Orega, making its biggest splash yet as the event’s official sponsor.
Across 28 teams, crews raced head-to-head from the Tyne Bridge to the Millennium Bridge between 9am and 4pm, competing for the coveted Dragon Boat Champion trophy.
Members of Orega’s Newcastle team were amongst the participants with support from professionals from Qubic and Equity Watch who utilise its hub at No. 2 St James’ Gate, together with members from commercial property agent, Naylors, and the North East Air Ambulance.
Overall, the Orega team finished in 16th place and raised £1550 towards its £100K fundraising target for Air Ambulances UK [AAUK] after announcing its official partnership with the charity earlier this year.
Furthermore, the event – which was organised by Newcastle NE1 – raised an impressive £47,000 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity.
The funds will now be used to support the Foundation’s campaign to create the £30m Sir Bobby Robson Institute, being a regional cancer trials research centre dedicated to helping patients access promising new treatments and support research into faster cancer detection.
Leigh Crowell, Regional Sales Manager of Orega, said: “What a day on the Tyne! Seeing 950 race head-to-head for such an important cause was fantastic, and we’re so grateful to everyone who helped make it happen. A special thank you goes to our clients at No. 2 St James’ Gate, whose support on the water and along the Quayside showed how strong our community is.
“This year Orega celebrates its 25th anniversary, and we’re proud to provide premium flexible workspace across 25 centres nationwide. Our Newcastle hub is particularly close to our hearts, having helped so many North East businesses connect and grow. Sponsoring an event that celebrates the region’s collaborative spirit felt like the perfect way to mark our milestone year all while supporting a vital local cause!”
Commenting on Orega’s sponsorship, Rachel Fenwick, Head of Marketing and Events at NE1, added: “It was fantastic to have Orega on board as a key sponsor of NE1’s biggest Newcastle Dragon Boat Race in its seven-year history. Their support helped us deliver a brilliant two days on the Tyne, with a record number of racers and huge crowds lining the Quayside.
“The atmosphere was incredible, and seeing so many businesses, colleagues, friends and families come together made it a really special finale to NE1’s summer events programme. To raise so much for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation made it all the more rewarding. We can’t wait to do it all again next year.”
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