Over seven hundred people working in the Irish property industry took part in the inaugural Dragons At the Docks dragon boat racing event, which has raised over €200,000 for the Dublin Simon Community and local charities.

The overall winner was the team from Sisk, with Hooke & McDonald coming second, and Goodbody coming third in a competitive final race.

The event at Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2 was organised by six of the country’s biggest property companies: Cairn Homes, Green Reit, Hammerson, Hibernia REIT, Ires Reit and Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate.  It attracted entries from 60 teams from Ireland’s leading property, financial, & legal firms, with participants racing the length of canal basin in dragon boats containing ten paddlers and one team drummer.

In supporting the Simon Capital Development Fund, the Dragon at the Docks fundraiser is part of an innovative solution which will help Dublin Simon Community achieve an overall goal of 480 bed units within the next 4-5 years, helping up to 750 men, women and children move out of homelessness for good.

Sam McGuinness CEO of the Dublin Simon Community said: “‘The funds raised from the inaugural Dragons at the Docks will support the acquisition of two apartments as part of the Simon Capital Development Fund, helping more people move to a permanent safe place to call home; making a vital difference to those who have been devastated by the homeless crisis. Each individual will not only have a place to call home but will receive vital wraparound supports such as counselling, education and employability, independent living skills and health and wellbeing to ensure they never return to homelessness and are able to rebuild their lives with their community of support around them.”

Kevin Nowlan, CEO of Hibernia REIT, one of the six cornerstone sponsors of the event, said: ““We were absolutely thrilled to see the support from our fellow industry colleagues, and are delighted to be able to raise these significant funds for the Dublin Simon Community. This is the first of what we hope will become an annual event in the calendar in which the Irish property sector to help raise the much-needed funds for the homeless. Congratulations to the team from Sisk who were worthy winners of the Dragons at the Dock Challenge Cup .”

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Winners of each of the categories are listed below:

• Dragons at the Dock Challenge (Grand Final) – Sisk
• Property Companies Challenge – Green REIT
• Property Agents Challenge – Hooke & McDonald
• Building Contractors Challenge – Sisk
• Built Environment Challenge – RKD Architects
• Legal Challenge – Leman Solicitors
• Financial/Advisors Challenge – Goodbody
• Fastest Time – Goodbody

Property Industry veterinarian Paul McNeive, was MC for the day, while an evening of racing, friendly competition and excitement at Grand Canal Dock was followed by a BBQ and entertainment at HQ Bar & Restaurant.

75% of the funds raised will go to the Dublin Simon Community, with the balance to be distributed to local charities in the Grand Canal Dock area.

More information can be found at www.dragonsatthedocks.ie