The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, a charity that takes young people sailing to rebuild their confidence following treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses, have been given a great boost to the start of 2012 after receiving £1,140 from south coast based sailing organisation Speedbird Offshore Yacht Club (SOYC).

Seabird Offshore Yacht Club and Ellen Macarthur Trust

Barry Lloyd from SOYC presented the cheque to Trust CEO Frank Fletcher on at the Trust’s headquarters at the Dean & Reddyhoff East Cowes Marina, Isle of Wight. SOYC has actively supported the Trust for the last two years.

In 2011 £1,140 was raised at the SOYC’s Annual Dinner and Dance through a raffle and auction, whilst their donation of two short-haul British Airways tickets as prizes for the Trusts ‘Text to Donate’ promotion raised a further £700 earlier in 2011.

SOYC which is open to anyone interested in sailing now boasts over 300 members from all walks of life and who come together on and off the water not only to enjoy sailing but also help great causes such as the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

Since they started supporting the Trust in 2010 SOYC have raised nearly £2500 – enough to take five young people who have suffered from serious illness out on the water. Some of the members of the SOYC also support the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust by volunteering as Skipper’s on their trips, including club Commodore, Barry Lloyd. Barry said:

“I sailed two trips last year and it was one of the most inspiring experiences of my life. I am pleased to see that other members are now applying to help the charity this year.”

The Trust was launched in 2003 by Dame Ellen MacArthur to support young people aged between 8-24 who are recovering from cancer and other serious illnesses. 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. The money raised by the SOYC yacht club will go a long way in making these trips happen, as Frank Fletcher, the Trust’s CEO said:

“The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust receives no government funding and relies solely on donations to ensure we can continue to offer young people the chance to go on our trips. I would like to thank all the members of the SOYC for their fundraising efforts – it really does make a huge difference”.

There are many ways you can support The Trust with your time, money or services.  For more information on the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust please visit: http://www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org/