By Sarah Nicholls

Last updated at 12:55, Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Fundraising pirates were on the crest of a wave at Derwentwater this weekend.

Bomber's Old Boys, from Maryport

The fifth Great Derwentwater Tiger Boat Challenge, organised by the Rotary Clubs of Bassenthwaite and Carlisle Castle, saw 16 teams compete.

Each team has to raise at least £500.

The charities supported by the organisers this year are the Teenage Cancer Trust and the Little Princess Trust, along with Rotary charities.

The grand final was won by reigning champions Bomber’s Old Boys, who were raising money for Maryport Boys’ and Girls’ Club and dressed as hippies. They beat Platinum Cleaning Services of Cockemouth in the final.

Winning team member Bob Murdock said: “We’ve all come through the club.”

Bob’s son Flynn, five, attended as the team’s official mascot.

The best dressed trophy went to Lakers & Co from Carlisle – the pirates, and the best dressed child was pirate Sam Bailey.

Partners of many of the Bombers’ Old Boys formed their own team called Pirates and a Can of Beer, a take on the hit film Pirates of the Caribbean, the women were raising money for the Henderson Suite cancer unit at Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital. Team captain and Bob’s wife Annette Murdock, said: “We thought it was a good way of collecting money.”

West House from Workington, which works with people who have learning difficulties, had two teams – West House Vikings and West House Hurricanes raising money for its Wild West Centre, which provides respite care.

Cathy Parker, operations director, said: “We thought it was an opportunity for us to raise money and for team building. It’s a good opportunity for everyone to get together.”

A group of staff from Workington’s Eastman factory raised money for the Lake District Calvert Trust and their own charity fund.

Captain Barry Hunton said: “If it’s for charity we’re more than happy to take part.”

Among the Carlisle teams was a group from Ayers Explorer Scouts, raising group funds. Andy Thompson of the team said: “We are always quite competitive.”

Warwick Bailey, of Bassenthwaite Rotary Club, said: “I think everybody enjoyed it.”

First published at 11:27, Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk