28 June 2019
No fewer than 25 young people, who have all previously sailed with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust in recovery from cancer, will join one of the largest yacht races in the world when the annual Round the Island Race takes place on the Isle of Wight on Saturday (29 June).
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has been the official charity of the event since 2007, and we could not be more excited to work with the race again to help rebuild confidence after cancer in young people through sailing.
[caption id="attachment_13800" align="alignright" width="300"]
Max Adams sailing at 2018's Round the Island Race[/caption]
As part of our programme that invites young people back for return trips, we are looking forward to 25 familiar faces joining us across five boats for the 55-mile race. Isla Pontone, from London, told us how her experience with the Trust so far has given her “the opportunity to finally be surrounded by people like me and take me away from the feeling of isolation I sometimes have.”
Joining the young people will be world record-breaking sailor Brian Thompson. He holds the record for the fastest lap of the island, and has sailed non-stop around the world four times.
The Round the Island Race is one of the biggest sporting events in the UK, attracting over 15,000 competitors, made up of families, first-timers, professionals, and charitable trusts.
[caption id="attachment_13799" align="alignleft" width="225"]
Mary Berry[/caption]
We’re so pleased we’ll be represented by so many of the young people who have sailed with us before, like Finley Clark, from London, who said the Trust has “built my confidence, boosted my self-esteem and allowed me to feel at ease when talking about my recovery from cancer,” as well as widened his horizons through sailing.
The Trust team will be based in the race village on the parade, so come along and say hello! We’ll be selling our stylish captain’s hat – as modelled by Mary Berry – and fundraising all day. We can’t wait to see you!