ORGANISERS of the Isle of Wight Festival have called in the patron saint of England to go into battle on behalf of sick children.

They are staging a St George’s Day Dragon Boat Race to raise funds for charity partner WellChild.

The race – which will take place from midday to 6pm on Thursday, will see a number of companies and local businesses compete on the water in a series of races and day of entertainment at the Island Harbour Marina, Newport.

It comes after the Daily Echo-backed Southampton Itchen MP John Denham’s call for the cross of St George to be raised from every flagpole on April 23 in a bid to celebrate our national identity.

Anyone without a flagpole is being urged to display flags from windows, balconies and any other vantage points.

The St George Cross Challenge comes as preparations are under way to stage a variety of activities across Southampton to celebrate the patron saint of England.

The Isle of Wight Festival, which is in its 14th year, has joined forces with WellChild for 2015.

Commercial director Caroline Giddings said: “WellChild is a charity we feel passionate about. The Isle of Wight Festival and WellChild together are committed to creating lasting memories and the St George’s Day Dragon Boat Race is a great first initiative to do exactly that.”

WellChild chief executive Colin Dyer added: “We are certain we will benefit from the incredible energy and dynamism of this legendary event as well as this exciting dragon boat race organised in the run-up to it.”

Blur, Fleetwood Mac, The Black Keys and The Prodigy are the headliners at this year’s festival, which takes place at Seaclose Park, near Newport, from June 11-14.

Other top acts confirmed include Pharrell Williams, Paolo Nutini, Jessie Ware, James Bay, Billy Idol, Paul Oakenfold and The Charlatans.

n Details of how to get involved are at isleofwightfestival.com.