Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust Graduate Volunteers take part in RC44 Worlds
by Amy Cada 13 Nov 2015 07:37 GMT
30 September - 4 October 2015
Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust Graduate Volunteers join Team Aqua at the RC44 Cascais World Championship © Pedro Martinez / MartinezStudio
Three Graduate Volunteers from the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust recently took part in an inspirational trip to the RC44 Cascais World Championship in Portugal.
Hosted by Britain's Team Aqua, one of the most experienced teams on the RC44 Championship Tour, Lucie Carrington (27), Mark Stevens (29), and Tom Roberts (22) were given the chance to learn the ropes of professional yacht racing from the experts.
Lucie, who first sailed with the Trust after finishing treatment in January 2006 for Ewing's sarcoma at the Christie NHS Foundation, explained the impact the experience has had on her: "The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust introduced me to sailing four years ago, during remission from a bone cancer I had in my left forearm when I was 16. The trip transformed my physical and mental confidence; and since then I have fallen head over heals for the sport."
She continued: "The RC44 trip has just reaffirmed how special sailing is! The sea quite simply sets me free and this trip especially just helped put everything back into perspective."
Warmly welcomed by the Team Aqua sailors, the trio spent three days as part of the crew during the World Championship event. They acquired knowledge and new skills by getting out on the water, watching the practice racing and learning from the pros.
Tom, who earlier this year completed his Day Skipper Course with the Trust, described the trip: "The RC44 World Championship, it's unlike any sort of sailing I've seen before. The high quality sailing, really fine-tuned machines...it was a completely unique experience."
Launched in 2003, the aim of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is to give young people in recovery from cancer the chance to rebuild their confidence through sailing.
In its 12th year, the Trust has grown beyond every expectation into a national charity. Working with every young person Principal Treatment Centre and a growing number of Designated Units in the UK. Taking young people aged between 8-24 who are recovering from cancer on four-day sailing trips.
The Trust receives no government funding and therefore relies entirely on voluntary donations to provide sailing trips free of charge. It is thanks to dedicated supporters like Team Aqua owner, UK-based businessman Chris Bake that the Trust is able to foster long-term relationships with the young people it works with and offer programmes, such as the trip to the RC44 Cascais World Championship.
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 visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org