Please select your home edition
Edition

Young cancer survivors aided by People's Postcode Lottery funding for Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust

by Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust 29 Jan 2023 02:38 AEDT
Young people sailing with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust © Martin Allen Photography

More than 500 young people living through and beyond cancer benefited from transformational Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust sailing and outdoor adventures last year thanks to a £450,000 award raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery.

Cancer can have a big impact on a young person's mental well-being and for many, picking up where they left off before their diagnosis isn't possible. So, when treatment ends, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust's work begins, to inspire young people aged 8-24 to believe in a brighter future after cancer.

The funds raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery, and awarded by the Postcode Active Trust, enabled 519 young people from across the UK to experience the magic of the Trust on 36 trips in 2022.

266 young people sailed with the Trust for the first time from its bases in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and Largs on Scotland's west coast, while 226 returned for sailing and outdoor adventures weeks around the country. The Trust also supported 12 siblings of young people who have sailed with the charity after cancer.

Frank Fletcher, CEO Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, said: "We are so grateful for the continued support from players of People's Postcode Lottery. Every day around 12 young people discover they have cancer. Many of these will need us after their treatment ends, and players' ongoing support means we can be there for every one of them who does for as long as they need. We couldn't do this without them."

Players of People's Postcode Lottery have positively impacted thousands of young lives since first supporting the Trust in 2010. Since then, they have helped the charity invest in specially adapted boats and open a base in Scotland so even more young people from across the UK can experience life-changing adventures.

Because of the Trust, 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 and stop feeling like 'the only one'. They feel accepted and re-establish their purpose and place in the world after treatment.

Now 17, Libby was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia aged seven. She said: "After treatment, you feel like you're dropped; like 'You're cancer-free now, off you go', and you should snap back to normality. But it's not that simple.

"My first trip with the Trust when I was 10 was amazing. I came home a completely different person, I had so much more confidence. My mum was amazed. Then with each trip you get something different, you feel much more independent. I don't know where I would be without the Trust."

In March, the Trust will unveil its Ambitions for the next three years, with the aim to be accessible to all young people who have a cancer diagnosis in the UK and have the biggest impact possible on every one of them.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023, having been founded by the record-breaking round-the-world yachtswoman in 2003.

This year, the Trust aims to support over 700 young people, and has added two new sailing adventures to its summer programme in partnership with Challenge Wales and Ocean Youth Trust Scotland.

For more information, visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org

Related Articles

Offshore Double Handed Worlds Repechage
Kiwis Clinch Golden Ticket After two qualifying races, ten teams from nine nations had already booked their places in the final of the 2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championships. One final berth remained; the winner of the nerve-shredding Repechage Race. Posted today at 9:37 pm
The Gulf of St Tropez in her Sunday best
Racing at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez starts tomorrow The gentle majesty of sail was omnipresent in the port of St Tropez this Sunday, where large crowds of visitors had the chance to enjoy a foretaste of the showstopping spectacle that will grace the race zones from tomorrow. Posted today at 9:20 pm
Multihull Cup 2025 overall
Allegra achieved her ambition, winning the title Allegra achieved her ambition at the Multihull Cup 2025 today, taking the title by a clear margin after consistent sailing and a trio of race wins earlier in the event. Posted today at 9:09 pm
Maxis trimming on for Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
The deciding event of the IMA Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge for 2025 2025's inshore racing for the maxi fleet culminates this week. Alongside the IMA Maxi Europeans and the recent Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the event organised by Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez one of the pinnacles of the maxi racing season. Posted today at 5:47 pm
5o5 Open Europeans at L'Estartit, Spain Preview
Over 50 boats entered from nine nations With just over a month to go to the 5o5 Open European Championship, there are over 50 boats entered including boats from Australia, Canada, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland and the USA. Posted today at 4:17 pm
Melges 24 Worlds 2025 at Trieste, Italy overall
Nefeli (Overall) and Zhik Race Team (Corinthian) are crowned champions After four days of uncertain weather, resulting in only three races, the 2025 Melges 24 World Championship delivered its verdict on the final day. Posted today at 10:29 am
J/70 Corinthian Worlds at Massachusetts overall
Alec Cutler's Hedgehog takes the title With only one point separating the leaders on the final day of the J/70 Corinthian World Championship in Marblehead, Massachusetts USA, Edward Gary's Ayacucho (USA) and Alec Cutler's Hedgehog (BER) were set for the final face-off. Posted today at 5:37 am
47th Régates Royales de Cannes overall
An exceptional edition Generally, the last week of September in Cannes is favourable to sailing, and previous editions have proven it... but this year, the weather was just exceptional, with winds between 5 and 25 knots or more. Posted today at 5:30 am
Bulwarks and Bulldust – Show 1 Season 3
Shane Guanaria from Doyle Sails and Zen Racing talks Admiral's Cup, Hobart, Hammo and a heap more... Episode One - Straight from the Admiral's Cup and Hamilton Island Race Week, Shane Guanaria from Doyle Sails and Zen Racing talks about those events, the impending 80th Hobart, and pathways into sailing. Lots to learn, so strap in for a terrific time. Posted on 27 Sep
2025 Formula Wing Worlds Sardinia day 4
"A rollercoaster day" was how Kamil Manowiecki described it "A rollercoaster day" was how Kamil Manowiecki described day four of the Formula Wing World Championships in Cagliari. After six chaotic races, few of the 93 competitors would disagree with the Polish rider. Posted on 27 Sep