Charity

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national organisation that gives young people between the ages of 8-18 who have suffered from cancer and leukaemia the opportunity to take part in the new and fantastic experience of sailing.  The majority of our young people are off treatment and in recovery from cancer and leukaemia.  These young people are recruited by our contact (usually a nurse or Clic Sargent social worker) at the hospital or group we work with, as they are more involved with the young people at the hospitals and so aware of who would benefit the most from the trip.  The young people can continue to sail with the Trust up until their 18th birthday.  After this, many will continue sailing with the Trust as volunteers.

The Trust was launched by the internationally-renowned sailor Ellen MacArthur on 2nd January 2003. In Ellen’s words:

“These are really special kids. In many ways they are just the same as everyone else, they are interested in the same things as kids their age, they have the same goals in life, but the difference is that they do this with a huge challenge ahead of them.”

"I face challenges out on the water, but these are challenges that I choose to do. They on the other hand don’t have this luxury. They battle against something harder than many of us could ever imagine and they do it with the biggest smiles on their faces. To me they are truly inspirational and if the EMCT can help them in their battle in any way then that is a fantastic achievement.”

By the end of 2010 we will be working with every young persons primary cancer care unit in the UK.  These primary care units deal with around 95% of young people being treated for cancer in the UK, so working with these key hospitals gives us the greatest opportunity to allow the young people to find out and sign up for our sailing trips.

For more information on the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust or to get involved in charity events please click here