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All aboard with the Dragoneers

The Manchester Dragoneers team is paddling from strength to strength after being formed in 2012.

The group is not about racing, but about enjoying a unique weekly exercise in the beautiful and peaceful surroundings of Debdale reservoir - under the Paddlers for Life banner, a Breast Cancer Dragon Boat team.

The group meet every Saturday at 10am at the Debdale Outdoor Centre in Gorton, and is made up mostly of members from the Tameside and Glossopdale area.

While they don’t talk about cancer the group does offer emotional support to those who have undergone treatment for cancer and their family and friends. 

But primarily the group is about having fun and reaching out for the ‘new normal’ after treatment.  

Members spend around an hour paddling on the water before enjoying tea, coffee and cake afterwards.

Throughout the season the group also enjoys other activities such as sailing, kayaking, walking, cinema trips and other social events.  

There are now more than 200 dragon boat teams in 26 different countries around the world, all dedicated to breast cancer survivors. Twenty-two years ago, there were none. 

The group welcomes all new members and if you would like to find out more you can contact them via Twitter @McrDragoneers, Instagram @McrDragoneers, Facebook: Manchester Paddlers for Life or via telephone (Cathy) 07974 262412.

Images by Nigel Wood 

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