DAME Ellen MacArthur is set to sail alongside young people supported by her cancer charity in this year’s Round the Island Race.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has been the official charity of the event since
2005, raising more than £308,270 to date to help inspire young people aged eight to 24 years "to believe in a brighter future living through — and beyond — cancer."
This year's Round the Island Race is on Saturday, June 25.
Ellen, who founded the trust in 2003, is no stranger to the Round the Island Race — last racing with a crew of young people at the iconic event in 2018.
This year, up to 30 young people, who have all previously sailed with the trust after cancer treatment, will race the 50-nautical mile course on five boats, bidding to get the Round the Island bragging rights.
Ellen admits she cannot wait to be a part of it.
“I am really excited to be taking part in this year’s Round the Island Race — and sailing with young people the Trust supports again," she said.
"Every time I sail with the young people, I am inspired by their positivity, desire to push themselves and their infectious sense of fun and adventure.
“Next year, the trust celebrates its 20th birthday, so it is truly wonderful to see the same positive impact on the young people today as we did back in 2003.
"The magic ingredients are the freedom of sailing, being with others who get what they’ve been through, and doing something new and exciting, which hasn’t changed.
“The Round the Island Race is such an amazing event to be involved in — and for the young people to be at the centre of the action, enjoying the sights, the spectacle and the racing, is an experience to remember.
"I hope everyone has a great race and see you on the start line!”
Cancer can have a significant impact on a young person’s mental wellbeing. For many young people, simply picking up where they left off before their diagnosis isn’t possible.
That is why when treatment ends, the trust's work begins. Through sailing and outdoor adventure, young people have fun, gain a new sense of purpose and self-worth, rediscover independence and feel optimism for the future.
They realise what they are capable of again — physically, mentally and socially — stop
feeling like ‘the only one’ and can believe in a brighter future.
The trust's team, alongside other race partners — Marathon Watch, B&G and Helly Hansen — will be out in force in the official race village at Cowes Yacht Haven over the weekend of June 25-26.
It will feature games, crafts and competitions for the whole family to enjoy.
To support the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust in this year’s Round the Island Race, simply text RACEFORALL to 70085 to donate £5 (texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message).
To find out more at ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org and @emctrust on social media.
Entries to Round the Island are still open until 12pm on Wednesday, June 22, via the event website. For more information and to enter, go to: www.roundtheisland.org.uk
For all the latest news on social media @roundtheisland and #RoundTheIsland #RaceForAll.
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Read the rules here