A FLEDGLING cancer charity has revealed ambitious plans to host an international dragon boating event on Windermere.

Breast cancer charity Paddlers For Life (PFL) hopes to stage Cumbria’s first dragon boat event to raise awareness of the disease and build community partnerships.

The week-long Celebration of Life event would cost £400,000 to stage and could draw 65 dragon boat crews from across Europe, North America, Canada and South Africa to Windermere.

The PFL committee - which consists of just three part-time members - will compete against dozens of international dragon boat groups to host the event in September 2014.

“We want this area to become a centre of excellence for dragon boating in Cumbria,” said PFL secretary Louisa Balderson, who travelled with the group to the International Dragon Boat Festival in Canada, in June.

During a meeting with Mrs Balderson, SLDC leader Brendan Jameson said the event could coincide with the Olympic Torch Relay if the Cumbria Olympic Steering Group wins its bid to have the torch pass through the county.

“We need to keep our profile up as an outstanding area for outdoor festivals,” he said. “I feel so optimistic that this will take off in a way we never expected. It’s a huge opportunity and one we must not miss.”

SLDC chair Sylvia Emmott also offered her support and promised to hold an event to raise money for a third dragon boat for PFL members.

PFL Windermere also hopes to stage a £10,000 dragon boat festival with 30 teams on the lake next June.

Organisers are currently seeking support from local organisations including South Lakeland District Council, English Lakes Hotels, Dragon Boats Events Ltd and Cumbria PCT.

Mrs Balderson said her ambition is to set up a parent dragon boat racing organisation in the Lake District which could aid groups across the UK.

Lynn Shamel, 56, from Ulverston, was one of the first breast cancer survivors to join the Windermere group.

“We’ve certainly got the enthusiasm to encourage dragon boating in other areas of the country and Windermere is the perfect place for an event like this,” she said.

“You make wonderful friendships, it is good exercise and great to be part of a team. It’s just an amazing feeling, I would encourage anyone to try it.”

For more information on Paddlers For Life or to volunteer visit: www.paddlersforlife.co.uk or email: louisa@paddlersforlife.co.uk.