15 June 2006
15th June 06
The JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race weekend continues to raise the profile and funds for the Ellen MacArthur Trust.
JPMorgan’s Charitable Foundation donates £25K to The Ellen MacArthur Trust
Ellen MacArthur Trust cyclists raise over £3K for cycling around the Isle of Wight
The JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race proved to be a bumper fundraising weekend for The Ellen MacArthur Trust this year. A cheque for £25,000 was presented by JPMorgan to Ellen MacArthur, who received the donation on behalf of The Trust on the eve of the annual Round the Island Race. Then on Race day seven cyclists endured the heat of the hottest day of the year and cycled the 116km around the Isle of Wight, with two aims: Firstly to raise as much money as possible for The Trust and secondly to beat The Ellen MacArthur Trust entry ‘Scarlet Oyster’ around the Island.
Both riders and sailors started on The Royal Yacht Squadron line at 7am. At the half way point, St Catherine’s Point, the bikes were level pegging with ‘Scarlett Oyster’. The cyclists did not have to contend with the wind shutting down, and finished the course in just 6 ? hrs, beating Scarlet Oyster by 2 hrs 20mins, and raising £3,000 in the process. Both The Ellen MacArthur Trust sailing entry and the cycle ride were supported by JPMorgan Asset Management.
Drew Harrison, a Trustee of The Ellen MacArthur Trust doesn’t sail and decided cycling round the Island would be a novel and challenging way to contribute to the day’s fundraising. “I thought it was going to be 100km so the extra 16km at the end were the hardest. Luckily I had great support from the other cyclists.”
Fellow cyclist Joe Hemmant from London said ‘Hot chips from the Crab & Lobster pub were the only reason we got home! It was a spectacular and beautiful ride. We saw the boats go round the Needles and St Catherines Point, and caught sight of the Scarlet Oyster at Bembridge – they overtook us whilst we were eating chips!’
Ellen MacArthur Trust patron Shirley Robertson was at the finish to congratulate the cyclists on their return, saying ‘They must be mad! Its hard enough sailing round, never mind cycling! They all put in amazing effort and raised a lot of money for The Trust’.
Scarlet Oyster finished the race in 241st place overall, 17th place in their class and 42nd overall in IRC. Dan Monk, who competed in the race last year just before being readmitted to hospital for a bone marrow transplant after his bone cancer returned said. “After a rough a year, to be back again was absolutely fantastic. Quality!”.
Katie Schuster, also racing for The Trust commented “It was an amazing experience and a lot of fun. The weather was great which made the sailing a lot of fun too. I hope I’ll be able to come back and do it next year.”
Walter Gubert, Chairman JPMorgan EMEA and Chair of the regional charity committee that approved the £25K donation to the Trust said “JPMorgan is committed to investing in local communities in which we live and work. Through Dame Ellen’s outstanding example and The Trust, we know that this money will make a difference to many young lives and we are proud to contribute.”
Any non sailors wanting to cycle around the Isle of Wight and race money for The Ellen MacArthur Trust at next years JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race please contact [email protected].