Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust announces new ambassador

by Calsey Thorne on 11 Dec 2012 The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust announced Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank as their new Ambassador. Rob, who is also award-winning festival curator, will be taking part of the organization’s various sailing events such as J.P. Morgan Round the Island Race and a 50 nautical mile yacht race around the Isle of Wight.

Radio 1 DJ and Bestival curator Rob da Bank has accepted a role as a new Ambassador for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. The charity, launched by Dame Ellen MacArthur in 2003 takes young people in recovery from cancer sailing to rebuild their confidence.

Rob is best known for his Saturday morning leftfield show on Radio 1, and his two award winning music festivals ‘Bestival’ which takes place on the Isle of Wight in September and ‘Camp Bestival’ at Lulworth Castle in July. He first heard of the Trust from Ellen in 2003 before she launched the idea.

A keen sailor himself, this year Rob joined one of the Trusts boats to take part in the J.P. Morgan Round the Island Race, a 50 nautical mile yacht race around the Isle of Wight.

'It was great to be out on a boat, even better with these amazing kids. They’ve been through things that most of us will never imagine and it’s just fantastic to see them out there vivacious and full of life. To get these young people out of hospital and out of their homes and actually teach them something new is such a special thing'

Joining Rob as new Ambassadors in 2013 are two young people who have sailed with the Trust – Luke Gilbert, 24 from West Yorkshire and Jodie Waters, 22 from Dumfries. They begin their Ambassadorship in December for three years.

Rob da Bank, 'I was really flattered to be invited in as an Ambassador, I do a lot of work on and off the Island with young people and top of my agenda is to try and give hope to people, whether they’re ill or can’t get a job or whatever it is. The Trust helps young people all round the country, I love what they do and it just ticks all the boxes for me. I’ve done a lot with my life and career and I definitely think it’s time to give things back and get stuck into other people’s lives as well as my own, I want to spread the word of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust'

Frank Fletcher, Trust CEO welcomed Rob,

'Having seen the work of the Trust first hand, Rob knows what a difference we can make to young people in recovery from cancer, making him a great choice for an Ambassador. His support will be invaluable and we look forward to having him on board'

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a nationwide organisation that supports young people aged 8-24 on their way to recovery from cancer. Launched in 2003 by Dame Ellen MacArthur, the Trust helps young people rebuild their confidence and independence, taking back what is often lost through cancer treatment.

For more information on how you can support the Trust please visit Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust website.