Ed Hill to race in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support
by Artemis Offshore Academy 19 Feb 2014 08:44 GMT
19 February 2014
This year Ed Hill hopes to take on the Solitaire du Figaro for a second time and raise '10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support © Artemis Offshore Academy
"Cancer is the toughest fight most of us will ever face and the feelings of loneliness and isolation that so many people experience make it even harder." – Macmillan Cancer Support
This year budding British solo offshore skipper Ed Hill hopes to take on the formidable Solitaire du Figaro for a second time, racing in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Sailing solo in the most extreme conditions over thousands of miles, the Solitaire du Figaro is the ultimate test of human endurance, pushing sailors to their limits both physically and mentally. However, the challenges faced when at sea alone can not compare to the isolation caused by cancer. By taking on the gruelling race in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, Ed hopes to engage people in his solo challenge and in doing so raise awareness and support for the charity whose work benefits so many.
"Macmillan is a charity very close to my heart as my family and I have been affected by cancer," Ed explained. "From practical, medical and financial support, to someone who'll listen if you just want to talk – Macmillan are there to support everyone who's lives have been changed by cancer. I'm very pleased to be able to race in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and hopefully I can raise £10,000 or more to help them continue with their amazing work."
You can make a donation to Ed's campaign here.
Having now raised half of the necessary funds to see him compete in the Solitaire du Figaro, the race is still on for Ed to raise the remaining amount needed to get him on the start line. A four stage 2014 mile solo coastal sprint between four European ports, the Solitaire du Figaro is one of the world's toughest endurance events and regarded as the unofficial world championships of solo offshore sailing. Kicking off from Deauville, France on the 8th June, Ed will be one of 40+ skippers on the Leg 1 start line, racing from Deauville to Plymouth, UK to Roscoff, France to Les Sables d'Olonne, France to finish in Cherbourg, France. By the time he crosses the Solitaire du Figaro finish line on 2nd July (ETA), Ed hopes to have raised £10,000 for Macmillan.
"Having Ed sail in aid of Macmillan is a unique and original way of raising the profile of the charity and what it does," said Alice Dewsnap, Fundraising Manager in South West Hampshire for Macmillan Cancer Support. "We really hope people will get behind the campaign and it will be great to see the fleet sail into Plymouth after Leg 1 with Macmillan Cancer Support on Ed's sail and boat".
Currently training in Lorient, France with the Artemis Offshore Academy and preparing for his first race of the season, Ed's 2014 Figaro campaign is now in full swing. Following the fast approaching Solo Maître Coq starting 13th March, Ed will then race the Solo Concarneau Trophée Guy Cotton (1st – 4th May) and the Solo Basse Normandie (16th – 18th May) as practice for the Figaro season's main event, the Solitaire du Figaro (8th June – 2nd July).
"I feel very privileged to be able to represent Macmillan Cancer Support in this way and my campaign has changed overnight from me racing solo, to me racing for the millions of people who are and have been affected by cancer. Solo sailing is inherently a selfish sport and racing in aid of Macmillan has given me the chance to give something back and to race with a new sense of purpose and direction, while highlighting the incredible work that Macmillan does in making sure that no one faces cancer alone," Ed concluded.
Support Ed in doing his bit for the millions of people affected by cancer, by donating what you can at 'Ed Hill's 2014 Solitaire du Figaro campaign in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.'
Find out more about Ed's 2014 Figaro campaign here and find out more about the work of Macmillan Cancer Support here.
You can follow the progress of Ed and the rest of the Artemis Offshore Academy squad in training and during their first race via the Academy website, Facebook and Twitter.