Ellen Trust gets underway

With two sailing weekends in July for cancer children

The Ellen MacArthur Trust was launched at London Boat Show to take young, ill children sailing and help give them a better life.

The first two sailing trips have now been organised for 18-20 July and 25-27 July and Ellen will join the children for both weekend trips on the Solent.

The Trust was launched following Ellen's experience with the French-based charity A Chacun son Cap, that runs similar sailing trips for young people in France, and her work with Sargent Cancer Care. "It is very exciting to know that the Trust's first sailing weekends are fixed in the calendar - it gives all of us something to look forward to," said MacArthur. "I have seen first hand the effect that just a short time at sea can have for these kids - they experience another life and it is a transformation for many of them."

The UKSA, based next door to the offices of Ellen and her team in Cowes, will be providing the boats and logistical support. Last year Ellen became an Ambassador to
the UKSA, itself a charity that regularly organises sailing for young people including disadvantaged and disabled children. David Green, Director UKSA: "The Ellen MacArthur Trust is a wonderful new initiative and we're honoured to support it."

Sargent Cancer Care for Children helps over 2000 children and young people diagnosed with cancer each year and one of their main aims is to provide short breaks for children they help care for. Sargent will work with the Trust in deciding which children will join the Trust's sailing weekends in July.

Since the launch in January 2003 at the London Boat Show, the Ellen MacArthur Trust has achieved the Charities Commission registration and received donations from individuals, companies and Trusts: "The response has been awesome," said Ellen. "As soon as we announced the Trust, the offers of help, support and donations began and are still going - it is just fantastic to see this response. The best part of all of this is that the funding and help will make a huge difference to the children we are trying to help - I wish that everyone who has helped us in whatever way they can, could get to see the huge smiles that we will bring to their faces...thank you to everyone."