Malcolm Le May, the head of investment banking at ING Barings, may come to regret a recent rash promise to some of his staff.

So thrilled was Le May at the £15,000 raised by the ING Barings dragon boat team in the Great River Race on the Thames for his favourite charity Debra, that he promised to take part in their next big race. Le May is on the appeals council for the charity, which raises money for children suffering from the incurable skin disease EB.