Ellen MacArthur Trust Ball at Skandia Cowes Week

The Ellen MacArthur Trust Ball at Skandia Cowes Week © OnEdition

The Ellen MacArthur Trust Ball at Skandia Cowes Week © OnEdition

The Ellen MacArthur Trust Ball took over proceedings at Skandia Cowes Week last night with an evening of high emotion, dancing and exceptional fundraising at Cowes Yacht Haven Events Centre. Thanks to the amazing support received last night The Ellen MacArthur Trust are pleased to announce that the fundraising total stands at a fantastic £78,328 - over £26,000 more than the ball raised last year!

Auction prizes on offer included a once in a lifetime driving experience on the Nurburgring in Germany, a bespoke Stevensons rocking horse, a VW Touareg all expenses paid driving experience for two in Dubai, and the top lot on the evening an Avon 5.6 adventurer rib signed by Ellen MacArthur, which was auctioned for an amazing £20,000.

The ball, which saw 390 people come together to celebrate The Trust and it’s activities both on and off the water, was kicked off with a Mumm G. H. Champagne reception before heading in for the evening’s events. Richard Simmonds (APP Broadcast and BBC Sailing Correspondent) took on the role of MC for the night, as he introduced Trust patrons Ellen MacArthur and Shirley Robertson to talk about the charity and how the money raised is being used. But the stars of the show were Daniel Monk and Katie Schuster, both young adults who are now in recovery from cancer and leukaemia and have joined the Trust sailing over the last three years. Katie and Dan walked on stage to a standing ovation as they told their own story about how The Trust has helped them and made a difference to their lives.

The evening was rounded off by tribute band “Bjorn Again” taking to the stage as the guests danced the night away. The band that have played for people such as Russell Crowe and Kylie Minogue, are considered to be the best ABBA tribute bands in the world.

“Last night was just fantastic, I can’t thank everyone enough for all their support it is quite amazing. I have been sailing with the kids this week and I can promise everyone that the money donated will be well spent, and that it really does make a huge difference to the lives of these children. Once again thank you, we couldn’t do this without you”: Trust Patron Shirley Robertson

The Ellen MacArthur Trust would like to thank title sponsors Calyon. Ball sponsors; Threadneedle, JPMorgan Asset Management and Atkind Holdings and supporting partners Champagne G. H. Mumm, Cockburns Port and Red Funnel, and all the people who worked tirelessly to make the ball happen, we could not have achieved this amazing result without you.

The Ellen MacArthur Trust are in the second of a three-year tenure as the Official Charity of Skandia Cowes Week. The results of last years fundraising both at the ball and other events through out the week, made a huge impact on The Trust’s activities throughout 2007, enabling them to double the amount of children they have taken sailing, work with four new hospitals and set up a residential sailing course.