OSCAR event at LISW25 raises another £275k
As a kickstart to London International Shipping Week 2025 (LISW25), maritime people experts Spinnaker hosted the tenth OSCAR Dragon Boat Race in London Docklands last Thursday, 11 September.
The event raised at least £275,000, with funds still coming in, bringing the total raised by the shipping-backed OSCAR Campaign for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children to £3.9 million.
Phil Parry, Spinnaker CEO and father of the campaign’s namesake, Oscar, said: “We had London Underground and DLR strikes last Thursday, plus the threat of rain. Despite all of that, the good people of shipping got themselves into London and boarded the coaches we laid on to make sure the day was a success.”
“I’m very proud to work in this industry,” Parry added. “Every year, people give up their own time to send out sponsorship requests, raise money, and then turn up to paddle and come together to make sure that other families recover hope for their children’s survival. We were lucky in Oscar’s case, and we want to pass on some of that luck to others.”
Twenty-eight teams took part this year, including top fundraisers Union Maritime, race winners Pacific Basin (followed in second place by The Baltic Exchange and in third place by law firm Penningtons) and bar sponsors Oldendorff. Each team pledges to raise or donate a minimum of £6,500, and for many the event is now firmly cemented in their annual calendar.
The OSCAR dragon boat race is the main event, but it has spawned others around it such as the Steamship Mutual P&I quiz night which attracted 125 maritime lawyers last week to raise money for GOSH. Steamship Underwriter and Quizmaster Jack Beesley commented: “We love everything about the dragon boat race and have grown close to the OSCAR campaign supporting for many years. Our quiz night was a sell out again this year. We’re considering a bigger venue next year as we aim to raise even more to support Great Ormond Street.”
“Presently, Great Ormond Street Children’s Charity is raising £300 million to fund the building of a new Children’s Cancer Centre,” explains Parry. “The charity is two-thirds of the way to that target, and we are keen to hear from any companies or high-net-worth individuals who would be interested in becoming major donors.”
“Spinnaker’s business is all about bringing people together. What better way to do that than through the OSCAR Campaign for such a desperately needed cause.”