Safety fears sink Dragon Boat race - but Nicole's fundraiser goes on

A woman from Leeds who hoped to participate in a charity challenge in memory of her brother has had her plans halted after the race was cancelled through water safety concerns.

- by Jennifer Cartwright

Nicole Copland was set to compete in the Martin House Dragon Boat Race in Waterloo Lake, Roundhay Park, on September 7.

She hoped to honour her brother Chris Copland, who drowned in the same water alongside his friend David Cullen 20 years ago.

The pair, aged 15 and 16 at the time, tragically lost their lives after they were swept up by the current.

Nicole, who was aged 12 when her older brother died, described Chris as a "brilliant brother" who was loved by the whole LS14 community.

She said: "(Chris) always looked after me if I ever needed it. He was a big part of my life. He was a lovely lad who was a big big part of the community."

Two decades on from Chris's sudden death, Nicole planned to pay tribute to her brother by taking part in the Martin House Dragon Boat Race.