The Ellen MacArthur Trust - News Articles

2008 News so Far!

•   Founding patron Dame Ellen MacArthur awarded Legion d'Honneur by French president Nicolas Sarkozy

•   The UK has 21 young person’s principal cancer treatment centres in the UK, in 2008 The Ellen MacArthur Trust will work with 16 of these centres

•   Trust aiming to double the number of young people it works with for the second year in a row with increased yacht trips and residential dinghy sailing weeks in 2008

•   The Trust chosen as the charity of the year for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Founding patron, Ellen MacArthur has been awarded the Legion d'Honneur by French president Nicolas Sarkozy. The award, a French order established by Napoléon Bonaparte in 1802, is the highest decoration anyone can receive in France. After the ceremony in London Ellen introduced Sarkozy to three children who had all sailed together with The Trust on the first sailing trip in 2003. After meeting the children Sarkozy said:
“(Ellen is) a human being who, for five years, through the Ellen MacArthur Trust, has been devoting herself to helping children and young people who have not themselves chosen their challenges and are battling against illness.”
The three children are examples of long-term relationships The Trust has with the young people that join them as it now enters its sixth year of operation in 2008. The charity is looking to build on its successes in 2007, to work with new hospitals and young people affected by cancer and leukaemia all over the UK. Thanks to the amazing fundraising activities over the past few years, The Trust has doubled the amount of young people it takes sailing year on year, and now works with 16 of the 21 young person’s principal treatment centres in the UK, with an aim to work with all units across the UK by 2010.
2008 will see a new partnership with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the company and its employees has chosen The Trust as their official charity for 2008. Thanks to the support of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars the residential dinghy sailing week at Bradwell Outdoor Education Centre has been extended to two weeks, making it possible for an additional 20 young people to attend the week long sailing and activity course. There will also be the opportunity for Rolls-Royce employees to volunteer to work with The Trust over the summer.

2008 the year ahead:
In June, The Trust will enter one boat in the JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. The young people, invited back after taking part in one of the four-day sailing trips, will spend two days training before racing in one of the largest participant sporting events in the UK. The Trust is delighted to be one of the official charities for this event

In July, young people recovering from cancer and leukaemia, will come of one of five four-day trips. These trips are the core of The Trust’s activities, with up to five boats out sailing on every trip. The children are encouraged to get involved with everything from sailing the boat to cooking. They live and sleep onboard for the duration of the trip. For medical support, a nurse travels with the children, and there is back up from an on-shore paediatrician.

In August, The Trust enters its last year as the official charity for Skandia Cowes Week. The official charity day is Monday 4th August, which will culminate that evening with the Ellen MacArthur Trust Ball, this year in the majestic setting of Osborne House in East Cowes.

The Trust will also run two weeks at Bradwell Outdoor Education Centre. The centre gives children who had previously been on a trip with The Trust the chance to test their skills on smaller, more responsive boats.

What effect does The Ellen MacArthur Trust have?
Often the children that join The Trust have spent long periods of their young lives in hospital suffering from low self-esteem and lacking in confidence. Studies have shown the need for long term support following treatment and The Trust is working towards building relationships with those young people it works with for the five years following treatment. The feedback the charity receives from children, parents and doctors reaffirms the positive outcomes of The Ellen MacArthur Trust’s work;

“She was able to have fun and relax for the first time in years. Of all the medicines she had, this one - the trip - was the one that made her better!" Sue Duggins, Maxine Duggin’s Mum.

“Every time I feel really down, I just think back to when we were on the boat and it puts a smile on my face. I look forward to going again – I love it.” Daniel Monk (first sailed with The Trust in 2004)

“After months or years of hospital treatment, four days away from home is long enough to introduce a feeling of independence. The adventure of the four days away from home making new friends, sharing experiences and learning new skills, gives the children renewed self confidence and a feeling of independence.” Edwina Dobson, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist, Cancer BACUP

“The trip back to Birmingham Children’s Hospital was a very different affair t o a few days before. The journey down was quiet, as our guys didn’t really know each other that well, the return leg was constant chatter and a great buzz about the whole experience”. Dr Dave Hobin, Consultant Oncologist, Birmingham Children’s Hospital

Ends
For further information:
T: 0870 0636774
e info@ellenmacarthurtrust.org
w. http://www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org
Company number 4597114
Registered charity no. 1096491

All Press Enquires:
Lucy Harwood
Into the Blue
t. 01983 247286
e. lucy.harwood@intotheblue.biz

Editors Notes:

ABOUT THE ELLEN MACARTHUR TRUST
The Ellen MacArthur Trust was launched by the internationally renowned sailor Ellen MacArthur in 2003. The charity takes young people aged from 8-18 sailing to help them regain their confidence, on their way to recovery from cancer and leukaemia.

The Ellen MacArthur Trust makes sailing accessible to children who, because of their illness would not otherwise been given the opportunity. It costs £1000 to take one child recovering from cancer or leukaemia sailing for four days.

HOW DO WE USE MONEY RAISED
By introducing these children to sailing The Trust makes a real difference to their lives. Simply the experience of going out on yachts for the first time is an exciting challenge, but in a safe and supportive environment.

Four day trips:
The main activity of The Ellen MacArthur Trust involves taking children who are off treatment sailing over four days on cruising yachts. Each night the boats stay at a different port and the children and crew live and sleep on board. The young people that join The Trust are involved in every aspect of the sailing trips from navigating and helming through to cooking and washing up! Whenever possible, one of the Patrons of The Trust, Dame Ellen MacArthur or double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson OBE, will spend time with the children on each of the four day trips.

Racing:
Children who have previously been sailing with The Ellen MacArthur Trust are invited back to compete in races such as the JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race and Skandia Cowes Week.

One-day trips:
For children with life limiting illness, these trips are designed to give the whole family a memorable experience they will never forget.

Residential Dinghy Week:
The week gives children who had previously been on a trip with The Trust the chance to test their skills on smaller, more responsive boats. The children get the chance to build on their sailing experience and try out the range of activities that Bradwell Outdoor Education centre has to offer.

The Ellen MacArthur Trust take young people recovering from cancer or leukaemia afloat form all over the country including; Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cambridgeshire, Kent, Surrey, Essex, Dorset, Devon, Berkshire, Yorkshire, Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Wiltshire, Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Kent, Nottinghamshire, and Ellen’s birthplace, Derbyshire.

posted on 15 April 2008

Previous Page | Next Page