27 November 2017
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is pleased to continue its long history with ‘Britain’s favourite yacht race’ the Round the Island Race in 2018. The Trust has been involved with the race since 2005 and is honoured to be selected as the official charity partner again next year.
It is a partnership which has had a huge impact on the Trust, with £266,944 raised over the last decade. The amazing fundraising and generosity of the competitors, supporting sponsors and the previous title sponsor J.P. Morgan Asset Management has given over 470 young people in recovery from cancer the opportunity to rediscover their confidence through the incredible power of sailing.
The Round the Island Race regularly attracts over 1,400 boats and around 15,000 sailors, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world and the fourth largest participation sporting event in the UK after the London Marathon and the Great North and South Run.
The Trust enters four of their yachts each year, giving 25 young people the chance to race alongside Olympic and world champion sailors enabling them to discover what they are capable of and overcome physical and mental barriers to have the confidence and belief to rebuild their lives.
“It is fantastic news to once again be involved with this wonderful race. We would like to thank the Island Sailing Club, and the Round the Island Race sponsors and competitors for their support. It’s an incredible experience for our young people to be able to participate in such an exciting race and compete alongside professional sailors, it gives them a huge confidence boost, which is vital to their long term recovery” Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust CEO Frank Fletcher.