27 June 2024
We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has contributed and made a difference by building support this month. If you feel motivated to do the same or already have your own personal targets, read our fundraising pages for advice and information on all the ways we can help you achieve your goal. Here are some of their fantastic efforts…
Just keep running!
An impressive physical feat: Macy, Cerys and skipper Alex completed the half-marathon at the Southampton Running Festival on 16 June, raising an amazing £1,070. Volunteer Macy was supported by the charity as a teenager after undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. She now volunteers, describing the charity as a “great lifeline for continued support”.
She said: “The charity has provided me with a whole new zest for life. Walking one minute and using my wheelchair the next isn’t looked down upon here. Instead, everyone can join in, regardless of the side effects cancer has left you with. The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has given us a beautiful and protected space to share our journeys and just be ourselves, and I don’t know how I will ever be able to thank them enough. Because if I wasn’t meant to be able to walk, and I now can, why not run!”
Having been involved with the charity since 2009, volunteer Jamie joined Macy in looking to return the support that he received after his diagnosis and treatment by participating in the Leeds 10k on 23 June. He smashed his target of £500 to help young people with life after cancer.
He said: “After my cancer treatment the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust helped me to regain my confidence and make new friends. I've wanted to raise money for the charity as much as I can and now my running is improving it seemed like the perfect opportunity.”
Also lacing up this month, Daisy, Rachel, Emma and Tazeem took part in the Battersea 10k to support friend and colleague Claire, who has been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. The quartet raised £645.
One more step!
Unfinished business: Three years ago, Russell, his wife and friends Chris and Julie were set to walk the West Highland Way when their son Mark fell seriously ill with lymphoma. They cancelled their adventure, but Chris and Julie’s daughters took their place and used the hike to raise money for lymphoma research.
This month, the original quartet walked the Great Glen Way from Fort William to Inverness to raise money for us. His target, which has been massively surpassed, aimed to fund sailing trips for two young people.
He said: “Thankfully Mark is well again now and like many young people who have come through gruelling cancer treatment, he had an amazing and rewarding experience when he was able to go on a sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust last year.”
Russell volunteers as a medic with the charity and has had the opportunity to witness how it can make a real difference to the lives of young people.
From one sailing adventure to another
Europe’s toughest inland sail: Simon, Phil, James and Richard helped to raise more than £4,200 by taking part in the Three Rivers Race. With 24 hours to complete the technical course, a fleet of over 100 sailing vessels navigated three rivers of the Norfolk Broads, covering a distance of over 50 miles. The crew had to negotiate low bridges that required the lowering of masts and sailing without the use of engines.
Prior to the adventure, Simon said: “We will be sailing a traditional style Norfolk Broads sailing yacht named ‘Primrose’, which has very generously been donated for the race. Race entry fees have also been donated to ensure that every penny now raised is passed directly to the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.”
And beyond...
The efforts to support us don’t stop at individual and event fundraisers. The IT industry Pink Elephant Regatta at Lymington Yacht Club on 20 June continued to be organised in aid of the charity this year, with £4,840 raised over the past three years. Along with JP Morgan’s pre-Round the Island Race dinner, an evening organised to raise money for the charity with an auction and raffle, and PropSail’s networking event at The Royal London Yacht Club in Cowes, which has generated over £3,300 over two years, we are incredibly thankful for all the donations that help to inspire brighter futures for young people living through and beyond cancer.
Feel inspired? Be part of something special! Sign up to one of our events here!