24 April 2006
24th April 06
The Ellen MacArthur Trust is the official charity of Skandia Cowes Week 2006-2008, and this year The Ellen MacArthur Trust wants to encourage everyone involved with the regatta to help them ‘Turn Skandia Cowes Week Blue’ on the official Charity Day, Monday, 31st July
To get into the spirit of the day you could dye your hair blue, fly a blue spinnaker, turn your business blue for the day or simply wear blue clothes. For those looking for the easy option, buy a blue Ellen MacArthur Trust wristband from their official stand in The Parade Village. Providing you are wearing your wristband, there will be spot prizes given throughout the day to those who have been the most creative, so let your imagination run blue!
On Monday evening The Ellen MacArthur Trust will host the inaugural Skandia Cowes Week Charity Ball at The Haven Events Centre. This has proved to be the hot ticket at Skandia Cowes Week, with the 360 places already sold out. Tickets have been so in demand that a waiting list for the 2007 event has already been opened.
Dame Ellen MacArthur and Double Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Robertson OBE, will both be in attendance. The evening will also feature a charity auction, live band and disco. The event is shaping up to be one of the social highlights in the Skandia Cowes Week calendar.
This year, for the first time, there will be an Ellen MacArthur Trust boat racing in Skandia Cowes Week. The oyster 48 ‘Scarlet Oyster’ will be raced by ten youngsters from all over the UK, who have previously attended a four day sailing trip with The Ellen MacArthur Trust.
The Ellen MacArthur Trust and its volunteers will be visible throughout the week with their stand in the Parade Village where you will be able to play a virtual skipper game, as well as purchase Ellen MacArthur Trust wristbands. There will also be a chance to Try Sailing for free in association with Skandia and the UKSA and any donations made towards the experience will go to The Ellen MacArthur Trust.
Shirley Robertson, Patron of The Ellen MacArthur Trust, spoke on behalf of all those involved with the charity.
”The Ellen MacArthur Trust was thrilled to be chosen as the official charity of Skandia Cowes Week for the next three years. This gives us the perfect stage to raise our profile, in an environment where everyone already understands the enjoyment and sense of freedom sailing brings, and how it can help build the confidence of young people recovering from cancer and leukaemia and other serious illnesses. The funds raised during Skandia Cowes Week will enable us to expand our activities in 2007.
”With the idea to ‘Turn Skandia Cowes Week Blue’ we want to encourage everyone, at the very least, to buy a blue wristband in support of The Ellen MacArthur Trust, but we are hoping people will pull out all the stops so the whole of Cowes, both on shore and off, will be united in a mass of blue,” explained Shirley.
We are currently looking for volunteers who are willing to help the trust collect donations, sell wristbands, help organise events etc. from the 28th July to the 5th August 2006. We will provide accommodation to volunteers who require it. If you are interested please send an email to Frank Fletcher or use the Contact Us form here