Insurance Industry raises more than £30,000 for great causes...

The 3rd annual Total Object Insurance Industry Challenge brought together more than 150 industry professionals to battle it out on the water for the coveted prize of ‘Top Boat’ in the Dragon Boat Racing at the London Docklands. 

The day started with team briefings where teams were shown the forward Attention! back paddle Attention! and how to 'brace the boat' – before donning life jackets and the battle in the London Docklands commenced.  Talk about match fixing – the first race was no chance meeting. Total Objects up again clients BESSO; one their earliest clients, greatest supporter of the challenge events and also coincidentally, winners of last year’s challenge event in the Lake District! Clearly feeling more chivalrous this year, BESSO allowed the hosts to snatch a win. 

The heats progressed smoothly despite a collision of oars between Lastminute.com and Bell & Clements and there were some very close finishes . The waters became more crowded and the pressure mounted for the semi finals, with four boats per race, set against each other.  Semi Final One between Lastminute.com, Antres, Total Objects and Bell & Clements was hotly contested  and Semi Final Two between COINS, Bowood, BESSO and the Graduates delivered some excitement for the spectators; the Graduates were trailing before the BESSO boat dramatically lost control of the rear oar which holds the direction of the boat; veering wildly across the course narrowly missing the other boats, they almost grounded the dragon ashore!

The six fastest boats qualified for the Grand final, it remained 'dragon to dragon' right up to the line.  A photo finish almost required - but Lastminute.com, a team made up at the last minute (hence the name), with representatives from GCUBE, Chaucer, Ascent and JLT …  stole the position of ‘Top Boat’ from the rest of the dragon field by only ¼ of a second.  Our hearty congratulations to the ten oars and the all important drummer in the winning boat, Lastminute.com boat.

Celebrations then commenced with a very colorful and entertaining traditional Lion dance by the Shaolin team.  This was particularly enjoyed by the children from Stepping Stones School who had joined the event as guests for the day.  Stepping Stones is a school where children with mild disabilities / hemiplegia can really thrive and fulfil their potential. www.steppingstones.org.uk This was followed by a gourmet BBQ enjoyed in the sunshine and accompanied by Jazz from Sax in the City.

Everyone gathered in the marquee and Larry Sullivan, Director of Total Objects and founder of the COINS foundation explained why Total Objects continue to support this event and explained a little about the projects the funds would support. If you would like to find out more about the COINS foundation and the projects supported by 100% of funds raised please follow the link www.coinsfoundation.org

To date funds raised by the team’s amounts to over £30,000.00.  Our congratulations to Antares who are currently the highest fundraisers and to Bell & Clements and Bowood who are in close pursuit.  However, as they say it is not over until the fat lady sings; and the fundraising deadline is the 30th November 2008.  The highest fundraiser award will be made to the team with the most funds collected at this date.  The very fabulous Dragon Trophy and the runner up trophies will be personally presented at Total Objects offices in Houndsditch.

We will keep you updated here on the top three fund raising league positions.

Our thanks to all who participated in making the first London based event such a success.  It was great to see Ken Kelleher from Crescent, Lee Ramsden from Ark, Paul Bennett and Cliff Browne from Oliva who joined us to support the all the teams in the final.  And a very big thank you to team leaders, Antraes, Vicky Grimshaw; Bowood, Alan Clarke; Bell & Clements, Ray Daniel and Sandra Parvitt; COINS, Lynn Cox; BESSO, Andrew Whiting.
 
We can all look forward to a bigger and more challenging event next year.

If you would like to take part next year you can register for a place by following the link. Register Here

The Final Places

1st	Lastminute.com	1:21.95
2nd	Antares	1:22.23
3rd	Total Objects	1:22.53
4th	Bell & Clements	1:22.86
5th	COINS	1:23.10
6th	Bowood Partners	1:23.33
7th	BESSO	1:30.64
8th	The Graduates	1:32.07