Reading's Leep Utilities takes to the water for charity dragon boat races

By Giles Gwinnett

15 November 2023

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Reading-based Leep Utilities has again taken part in charity dragon boat races, raising more than £66,000 from two events, for four worthy causes.

A nine-strong team from Leep Utilities’ Reading office were joined by a colleague from Berkeley Group to compete against 26 other teams in the Berkeley Foundation’s Annual Dragon Boat Race at London’s Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre.

Several hard-fought contests raised much needed funds for Home-Start UK, St Giles Trust, and AFK | Working with Disability.

Meanwhile, in the northwest of England, staff from Leep’s Salford office and headquarters took the plunge at Liverpool Waters Dragon Boat Race.

They helped to raise over £35,000 for Claire House children's hospice, with all donations going to the hospice’s second site in West Derby, Liverpool.

Lewis Croft, corporate fundraiser at Claire House Children's Hospice, said: "We’re very grateful for the support of Leap Utilities team and everyone else who was involved in the very brilliant Liverpool Waters Dragon Boat Race event. The money raised will make a massive difference and mean we can be there for more seriously ill children and their families. We cannot thank everyone enough."

Louise Manfredi, CEO of Leep Utilities, added: "These races have become somewhat of an annual tradition for us, and we’re delighted, once again, to be able to help raise such a significant amount of money for these very important and deserving causes.

"Not only that, but they provide a perfect opportunity for us to come together with colleagues, partners, financial backers and our wider regional business communities to enjoy some fun and teambuilding on the water.

"The atmosphere at both events was great and we always enjoy taking part – whilst raising much needed funds at the same time."

With offices in Salford and Reading, Leep Utilities owns and operates regulated and non-regulated utility networks, including electricity, cold and hot water, heating and cooling.

It has a portfolio of sites across the country, including Media City, Liverpool Waters and Canary Wharf.

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By Giles Gwinnett

Giles Gwinnett is a writer at The Business Magazine. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and covered a vast array of topics at a range of media settings - in print and online. After his NCTJ newspaper training, he became a reporter in Hampshire before moving to a news agency in Gloucestershire. In recent years, he has been covering the financial markets along with company news for an investor-focused web portal. His many interests include politics, energy and the environment. He lives in Dorset.