Staff at St Helier Hospital ripped through the waters of the Thames in a traditional Chinese rowing boat to raise £400 for research into kidney disease.

The 20-strong team, comprising nurses, kidney specialists and medical director Jonathan Kwan, were competing in the annual London dragon boat festival.

Dr Kwan said: “It was really hard work and we were up against some highly-trained rowers. Not surprisingly, our motley crew – some of whom haven’t ever rowed before – didn’t win, but we did put a lot of effort in.

“We’re really pleased with the amount we’ve raised and would like to say a big thank you to all of the generous people that supported us. Every penny we raised will go to researching kidney disease.”

Renal unit workers previously boosted funds by walking barefoot across hot coals and holding a fundraising supper at the House of Lords.

To make a donation go to justgiving.com/sweatykidneyscientists or for details of next year’s dragon boat race visit lclc.co.uk/dragonboat.

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