The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust to help more people than ever in 2016

by Natasha Elliott 9 Jan 2016 10:18 GMT 9 January 2016

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust plans to help over 650 young people in recovery from cancer in 2016 – almost 250 more than 2015.

The Trust, which was established 12 years ago by internationally renowned yachtswoman, Dame Ellen MacArthur, gives young people in recovery from cancer the opportunity to take part in inspirational sailing trips to rebuild their confidence.

The Trust is midway through their plan to more than double the number of young people it helps each year. This year 7.6% of young people in recovery from cancer in the UK were able to take part in sailing trips with the Trust, in 2016 the aim is to increase this to 12%.

Independent research and medical experts agree that the benefits of this type of trip are invaluable. Young people gain a massive confidence boost and for many it's life-changing, giving them the courage to move beyond the challenges of overcoming their illness and plan for the future.

Frank Fletcher, CEO of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust explains:
"The Trust works with young people aged 8-24 to rebuild their confidence and support their recovery through sailing. In our 12 years we have enabled more than 1,500 young people to take part in sailing events. We get so much feedback from the young people and their families saying how much it has helped them, which is why it is so important we continue to increase the opportunities for more young people to join us."

Hannah, one young person who took part in a sailing trip said:
"I owe pretty much everything to the Trust for helping me rebuild myself back up. I don't recognise myself from the person I was on treatment."

The physical treatment for cancer is a gruelling and exhausting experience, and the longer term emotional and psychological effects of the disease can be even more complicated.

Dr Dave Hobin, Paediatric Consultant Oncologist at Birmingham Children's' Hospital and Trust Volunteer explained:
"Providing opportunities for young people to re-build their lives after cancer gives them the greatest chance to go on and achieve their goals and ambitions. The first step is rebuilding confidence and self-esteem. Mixing with others who had had similar experiences is key. They start to re-establish peer relationships and provide mutual support. Realising they can participate in activities is often the star of the bigger recovery process."

Some of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust highlights in 2015:

457 young people had the opportunity to take part in a 28 separate sailing trips

The impact on young people, what the young people and their families said:

• 95% had gained confidence
• 96% gained new skills
• 90% made new friends
• 96% gained independence
• 98% loved or really enjoyed the trip
• 68.8% of Under 18's and 78% of Over 18's said it had a positive impact on their lives

Frank Fletcher continues; "None of this would have been possible without the generous support of so many people in 2015 who have run marathons; abseiled off spinnaker tower; baked cakes; or become a friend of the Trust and the players of the People's Postcode Lottery who continue to support the Trust every year."

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust's Aims for 2016:

• Increase the number of young people taking part in sailing trips to over 650
• Continue to raise funds to enable the Trust to work with more young people with cancer and leukaemia.
• Major fundraising events including:
• Launching 'The Night Rider Night Runner' mountain biking and trail running event in April on the Isle of Wight
• BT Tower afternoon tea fundraiser in February
• Official charity of the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race (the largest yacht race in the world) in June
• 'The Bestival' on the Isle of Wight in September

The Trust's founder, Dame Ellen MacArthur explains:
"These are really special kids. In many ways they are just the same as everyone else, they are interested in the same things as kids their age, they have the same goals in life, but the difference is that they do this with a huge challenge ahead of them. To me they are truly inspirational and if the Trust can help them in their battle in any way then that is a fantastic achievement. We are really excited about 2016, we are well on our way to achieving our three year plan and you can see from the feedback we receive that these trips really do have an amazingly positive impact on the young people who take part."

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust works with every young person Principal Treatment Centre in the UK and to date has enabled over 1,500 young people to take part in sailing trips. The Trust receives no government funding and therefore relies entirely on voluntary donations to provide sailing trips free of charge to the young people.

www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org