40,000 miles of fundraising and awareness for youth cancer charity
by Amy Martindale 26 Jul 2014 08:40 BST
25 July 2014
Clipper team Great Britain's Lucie Carrington (left) with Kristie Reid (centre) and Dame Ellen MacArthur (right) during the Round the World Race Finish in London © Adam Davy / PA Wire
Announced as the official charity of the Clipper 2013 -14 Race in October 2012, over £23,000 has been raised for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust during the 40,000 mile challenge.
Set up by legendary yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur, the Trust works with every young person's primary cancer care unit in the UK and gives young people aged between 8 and 24 in recovery from cancer the chance to rebuild their confidence through sailing.
The money has been raised by a number of supporters, including individual crew members, the teams, individual skippers, members of the public and sponsors OneDLL and PSP Logistic, and will enable the Trust to take an additional 43 young people in recovery from cancer on a four day sailing trip.
Trust CEO Frank Fletcher says: "On behalf of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust I wanted to say a huge thank you to Sir Robin, William and all at the Clipper Round the World Race for choosing us as the official race charity for 2013-14. Kristie and Lucie had a life changing experience participating within Leg 1 and 8 of the race – Thank you."
The final fundraising for the Trust was donated at the Clipper Race Finish in London this month, including winning Clipper Race skipper Eric Holden from the Henri Lloyd entry, who donated £10 per point won by the team. Old Pulteney was awarded for showing its support of the trust submitting the most engaging diaries during their journey from Ellen's Mascots, a puppet on board each team that sent back images and diaries to the children's hospitals around the UK that work with the Trust.
During the 11-month long adventure crossing the world's oceans, two ambassadors for the Trust were selected to take part in the first and final stages of the race on board the GREAT Britain entry, to help raise the profile of the trust whilst raising money for the charity that had helped them in time of need.
Kirstie Reid, a 21 year-old from Aberdeen, was 16 when she was diagnosed with Biphasic Synovial Sarcoma in 2009, a rare type of cancer that formed in the joint of her left shoulder left London for Leg 1 of the race 11 months ago said:
"Taking part in the race has had a big effect on me, I was a couple of weeks back late to university due to taking part in the race and since then I have wanted to get back out on the water and sail. I am delighted that I have finished university now and I can start sailing again.
"I really enjoyed the offshore racing and hope to get some more experience and look for job opportunities in sailing which has stemmed from sailing with the trust and that's why I wanted to take part in the Clipper Race, it has been a great experience for me."
Lucie Carrington, a 25 year -old from Lancaster was 15 when she was diagnosed with a Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone and soft tissue cancer in her left arm.
Lucie says: "The Clipper Race experience was amazing; I loved every minute of it. I didn't think I would but it was incredible and all I want to do now is get back on a boat.
"I've always held back physically with my arm and I know now that if I can do rough ocean sailing that is all about using your upper body and I was ok, that it isn't going to hold me back anymore and I can go for anything. I don't feel defined by my illness anymore and I have so much more confidence now.
I don't know what's next for me which is quite exciting, I want to go out there and try new things rather than play it safe but I will continue to support and volunteer for the trust. I would like to move to the coast so that I can do some more sailing!"
As the Trust receives no government funding and does not charge fees, they therefore rely 100% on voluntary funding. There are many ways to support The Trust with 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, visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org.
To find out more about the Clipper Race, visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com