A distinctive charity drive from Belfast's Chinese businesses.
This dragon boat race was the result of a collaboration between Belfast's Chinese business community and the charity Mencap. The race aimed to raise money for the disability charity. Dragon boat racing is a long standing tradition in China, with a fascinating history. A long time ago, a loyal prime minister was ordered by the emperor to raise taxes for his constituents. The prime minister refused to do so and jumped into the river as a sacrifice. Dismayed, his citizens took to the river in their boats to rescue him, throwing pieces of dumplings into the river to keep the hungry fish away from him. The motive behind this race wasn't quite so dramatic, but no less important. Prominent social worker and Alliance Party MLA Anna Lo discusses the story with the reporter Alison Fleming. Anna Lo was the first politician from an ethnic minority to be elected at a regional level in Northern Ireland, and the first politician born in East Asia to be elected to any legislative body in the United Kingdom.
UTV Life was a magazine show that focused on light-hearted stories. It was broadcast on weekdays at 17:30 until 2009. It is currently broadcast at 19:00 on Fridays.
