Another new yacht for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is to receive another specially adapted yacht which will be used to improve the lives of young people recovering from cancer

EMCT 2 which is now in Scotland

15 December 2016

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust will soon have another speciality adapted yacht at its south coast base on the Isle of Wight.

Funding from the new vessel is coming from the People’s Postcode Lottery, along with support from Ancasta and Beneteau.

The announcement follows a successful similar project at the trust’s base in Scotland.

Earlier in 2016, the trust’s Largs base took delivery of EMCT 2, a yacht modified around the needs of the young people the trust support.

The incredible positive impact that this yacht has had has meant that People’s Postcode Lottery has decided to award the trust with a further award to invest in a similar project at its south coast base.

Head of charities at the People’s Postcode Lottery, Clara Govier, said: “Having witnessed what an impact funding from our players for the Largs yacht has made we are delighted that this additional funding will be able to give the same opportunity to those in the south.”

The long-term impact cancer treatment has on some young people means that many suffer with mobility and cognitive issues as they try to rebuild their lives after cancer.

Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust trustee and consultant paediatric oncologist at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Dave Hobin, said giving young people in recovery from cancer the opportunity to take part in sailing trips is vital to help them rebuild their confidence.

“The most common cancers, that will often lead to significant mobility issues, are the tumours that have affected the brain or spinal cord and tumours that have affected the limbs,” he explained.

“These can cause challenges in simply walking because of, for example, an amputation or the wearing of a prosthesis or difficulties because of issues with balance and spatial awareness,” continued Hobin.

“We (The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust) have always been conscious that providing an activity that is based on a yacht presents significant challenges for those young people who experience mobility issues.It is fantastic news that we are being supported in securing a new vessel to build on the already excellent work of the trust,” he said.

“This new boat will enhance the experience young people get and help them realise that with their peers’ support they are able to fully participate in all activities aboard. They leave with new found confidence and friends,” stated Hobin.

The yacht, which will be delivered in time for trips in spring 2017, will be adapted to suit the young people’s needs.

Modifications include, the fitting of extra hand rails and altering the cabin space to make a more accessible social area.

The primary winches have been moved forward to give more room when manoeuvring and the stern of the boat lowers to pontoon level.

These adaptations will drastically improve the experience for young people with these long-term side effects from treatment.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national organisation, set up 14 years ago by internationally renowned yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur.

The trust works with every young person Principal Treatment Centre in the UK and a growing number of Designated Units in the UK.

It receives no government funding and relies entirely on voluntary donations to provide sailing trips free of charge to the young people.

19 September 2016

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust have proudly been handed ownership of their highly anticipated new yacht, which will enable them to better support young people from the North of England and Scotland particularly those with mobility issues resulting from their cancer treatment.

Dame Ellen MacArthur, who founded the Trust with the aim of rebuilding young people’s confidence in their recovery from cancer, joined Ash Overton of Ancasta, and Head of Charities Clara Govier from People’s Postcode Lottery on the boat at the 2016 Southampton Boat Show to receive the keys.

The purchase was made possible after the Trust received an additional £200,000 at the People’s Postcode Lottery Charity Gala from players of People’s Postcode Lottery to invest into a yacht to improve the experience of young people at their newest base in Largs, Scotland, which opened in early 2013. With advice and support from Beneteau, Ancasta and Hamble Yacht Services Refit and Repair the boat was carefully selected, purchased and modified to best support the requirements of the Trust’s young people.

Ellen expressed the charity’s gratitude, “It’s been a big day for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, it’s a step that wouldn’t have been possible without the massive support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the Ancasta Group, and Beneteau, so a huge thank you!” She continued, “A magnificent job really has been done”.

This is an important purchase for the Trust and the young people it supports, as it will improve the quality of the experience for those with mobility issues. The Trust supports a number of young people who have suffered from brain tumours and sarcomas, treatment of which affects their coordination, balance or may result in an amputation, limiting their ability to move around a boat.

Modifications made by Hamble Yacht Services Refit and Repairs to the boat, such as the fitting of extra handrails and altering the cabin space, will allow young people with these issues to have a better quality experience. The stern of the boat also lowers to pontoon height to enable easier access when the young people are embarking and disembarking from the boat.

Further to this, the yacht will expand the Trust’s capacity to be able to offer ‘Day Sails’ for the families of young people who are too ill to join the four day trips.

Ancasta, the largest yacht brokers in Europe, have supported the Trust from the start of the purchase process enabling them to secure the Beneteau Oceanis 45. Ash Overton of Ancasta commented, “It has been a wonderful project to be involved with, working closely with the Trust to select and modify a yacht perfect for their needs. We can’t wait to see it in action”.

The yacht will now make its way up to the Largs base where it will join the Trust’s operations ready to start the sailing season in spring 2017.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national organisation set up 13 years ago by internationally renowned yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur that gives young people in recovery from cancer the opportunity to take part in sailing trips to rebuild their confidence. The Trust works with every young person Principal Treatment Centre in the UK and a growing number of Designated Units in the UK. It receives no government funding and relies entirely on voluntary donations to provide sailing trips free of charge to the young people.

Find out how you can support the Trust and help to make a real difference to young people’s lives by visiting:

www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org