Major boost for Round the Island charity

Another fantastic year for the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race was brought to a close when the official Race charity, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, received a valuable donation from race organisers the Island Sailing Club in Cowes.

A cheque presentation took place where Dame Ellen MacArthur, founder of the Trust, was handed the cheque by the Commodore of the Island Sailing Club, Rod Nicholls, who commented: “The Island Sailing Club is very proud to be associated with a charity which not only gets young people onto the water but also gives them a chance to spend valuable time with others in the same situation as themselves.”

Every competitor who completes the Race is offered a tankard as a memento, but can decide not to receive this, instead opting for the Island Sailing Club to donate £5 on their behalf to the Trust. This year 314 entrants elected not to have a tankard, raising £1,570. A further £2,962.50 was raised from donations pledged by competitors when entering the Race, reaching a grand total of £4,532.50.

Ellen MacArthur underlined just how important these donations are to the Trust, saying: “It’s fantastic to have support from the Race. This money alone will allow the Trust to take nine more young people in recovery from cancer on a four day sailing trip next summer, helping us to make a difference to their lives after they have been through so much. It is truly inspiring to be able to work with these amazing young people.”

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a charity that supports young people aged between 8-24 who are recovering from cancer and other serious illnesses. Launched in 2003 by Dame Ellen MacArthur, the Trust’s main activity is taking young people on four-day sailing trips to help them rebuild their confidence, giving the young people a chance to test themselves in a safe and supportive environment.

There are many ways you can support The Trust with your time, money or services. To become a friend of The Trust and help them to continue to provide support to young people in recovery from cancer please visit: www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org.