Geoff Holt hosting exclusive Gala Dinner

By Nicky Moore on 26 Oct 201112 November 2011

On the 12th November 2011, inspirational yachtsman Geoff Holt will be hosting an exclusive black-tie charity Gala Dinner, with the proceeds going to two south-coast based young persons charities, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and Simon Says Bereavement Support.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, established by Dame Ellen MacArthur in 2003 aims to inspire children’s recovery from cancer and serious illness, and offers opportunities for young people aged eight to 24 to take part in a range of sailing-based activities. The Trust, which aims to rebuild the young people’s confidence, works with every young persons primary cancer care unit in the UK, offering children from all round the country the chance to take part in one of their life-changing sailing trips.

An ex-professional yachtsman with many ocean crossings under his belt, Geoff Holt MBE was paralysed in a swimming accident in 1984, and since then he has become an inspiration to many, championing disability awareness. Geoff currently sits on the Paralympic Steering Group which is responsible for selecting Team GBR’s Paralympic sailors for the 2012 Games, and is a committee member of the British Paralympic Association representing sailing in the UK. Geoff spoke about his support of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

“I have admired the work of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust for many years and I first supported the Trust when I crossed the Atlantic back in 2009. Not only is it a wonderful charity doing great work, but I love the way young people who have sailed with the EMCT and have recovered from cancer themselves are given the opportunity to come back and to sail and mentor young adults going through the same treatments they went through. So selecting the EMCT as a beneficiary of my dinner was an easy decision and hopefully we will raise plenty of money to help the Trust provide yet more sailing opportunities for these young adults at the most challenging time of their lives.”

The second charity supported by the Gala Dinner, is Simon Says Child Bereavement Support. The charity provides support for children and young people in Hampshire who have suffered the loss of someone close to them, creating an atmosphere in which grief can be shard.

The dinner will be held at The Royal Maritime Club, Portsmouth, kicking off at 7pm, and will be a black tie affair. VIP tickets are available for £65, which includes a champagne drinks reception with Geoff, and a three course meal. £45 tickets are also available, for which you will receive an arrival drink as well as a three course dinner. Live music and an auction, raising money for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and Simon Says Child Bereavement Support, will provide entertainment after the dinner.

To purchase tickets or for more information, please contact Mari-Louise at the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, or on 01983 297750.

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 and encouragement to young people in recovery from cancer please visit www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org/images/uploads/Make_a_difference_LOW.pdf

For more information on the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust please visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org