20 November 2025
We are delighted to receive £20,000 a year from 2026 to 2028 from BBC Children in Need, helping young people from all across the UK rebuild their lives after the trauma of cancer.
The money will fund first-time four-day sailing adventures for under 18s from East Cowes on the Isle of Wight and Largs in Scotland.
BBC Children in Need previously helped establish the charity’s second home in Largs, which opened in 2013, and enabled more young people to join transformational trips as demand grew.
Having them back on board means more young people like Rosa, from Edinburgh, will be able to experience the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s unique magic. The 15-year-old was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of white blood cell cancer, at the start of 2024.
She said: “We’re still just young people. We’ve been through this horrible thing, but we still have the same interests. The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has made a massive difference for me because they’re still here for us and connecting us with other people who have finished treatment.
“You have a lot of freedom, you can have downtime if you need it, and it was just nice being out among nature. We even saw a seal!
“There’s no judgement or anything like that. If you’re fatigued, you’re walking slower, nobody’s judging. It’s not out of the ordinary.”
Pam Bacon, BBC Children in Need Impact Officer – South East, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be supporting the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust through BBC Children in Need funding. The Trust plays a vital role in helping children and young people in the local community build confidence and develop their self-esteem. This funding will enable them to take part in activities they might not otherwise have access to, and we’re proud to help make that possible.”
This year, 651 young people enjoyed one of our life-changing sailing or outdoor adventures either for the first time or returning to get the extended help and support they need over time.