FUNDRAISING teams from across North Yorkshire are gearing up to take part in York's Dragon Boat Challenge on the River Ouse this Sunday.

The race, part of the Dragon Boat Festival, has been organised by the Rotary Club of York in support of St Leonard's Hospice. Teams are preparing to go full throttle up the river in traditional dragon boat style with drummer at the bow and helmsman at the stern.

Malton-based

S Harrison Group is one of 30 crews taking part in the challenge to row the 300-metre course in a traditional flat water racing canoe.

Its 18-strong crew of construction and development team members has undergone intensive training sessions in a bid to raise money for a St Catherine's Hospice appeal in Scarborough and St Leonard's Hospice.

A number of the Harrison crew members are already well familiar with the river, as several are currently involved in the construction of the £6.5 million Merchant Exchange apartment development situated on the water's edge.

Updated: 09:06 Friday, July 11, 2003